SOLUBILIZATION OF MEMBRANE-BOUND DELTA(12)-FATTY-ACID AND DELTA(6)-FATTY-ACID DESATURASES FROM BORAGE SEEDS

Solubilization of two membrane-bound enzymes (Delta(12)- and Delta(6)- desaturases) involved in the biosynthesis of polyunsaturated fatty aci ds (linoleic 18:2 and gamma-linolenic acids gamma-18:3, respectively) was performed using borage seed microsomes. Of the three detergents Tr iton X100, sodium deoxycholate and CHAPS, the latter was found to be t he most efficient for solubilization and maintaining the two desaturas e activities. Solubilization was optimal with 1% CHAPS at a detergent- membrane protein ratio equal to one. Under these conditions, only 55% of the microsomal proteins were solubilized. These results are promisi ng for further purification of the two desaturases. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.