Isolation and characterization of a Delta(5)-fatty acid desaturase from Caenorhabditis elegans

Citation
Jl. Watts et J. Browse, Isolation and characterization of a Delta(5)-fatty acid desaturase from Caenorhabditis elegans, ARCH BIOCH, 362(1), 1999, pp. 175-182
Citations number
36
Categorie Soggetti
Biochemistry & Biophysics
Journal title
ARCHIVES OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
ISSN journal
00039861 → ACNP
Volume
362
Issue
1
Year of publication
1999
Pages
175 - 182
Database
ISI
SICI code
0003-9861(19990201)362:1<175:IACOAD>2.0.ZU;2-Z
Abstract
Arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid are important precursors for the production of prostaglandins and other hormone-like eicosanoid molecules. These fatty acids are synthesized by animals by elongating and desaturating precursor fatty acids such as linoleic acid (18:2 Delta(9,12)) and alpha-l inolenic acid (18:3 Delta(9,12,15)). We have identified a Delta(5) fatty ac id desaturase gene (fat-4) from the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We hav e expressed this gene product in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and demonstrate t hat it readily converts di-homo-gamma-linolenic acid (20:3 Delta(8,11,14)) to arachidonic acid (20:4 Delta(5,8,11,14)). The FAT-4 Delta(5)-desaturase also acts on a number of other substrates, including fatty acids that do no t contain a double bond at the Delta(8) position. (C) 1999 Academic Press.