Elongase
Elongase is a generic term for an enzyme that extends the length of fatty acid.[1] Because fatty acids and their derivatives are biochemically influential, elongases are of considerable interest.
Fatty acids up to C16 in length are produced by elongation using fatty acid synthases (FAS's).[2] The starting point is the acetyl derivative of the acyl carrier protein, which is elongated by the addition of two-carbon building blocks. These two-carbon building blocks are derived from malonyl coenzyme A (after decarboxylation), producing 3-ketoacyl-CoA. The keto group is replaced with CH2 via a series of steps. This process is repeated up to C16.
For elongation beyond C16, a second but related class of elongases is involved. The starting point is palmitoyl-CoA, which is extended by 2-carbon units, provided by malonyl-CoA. The initial intermediate is a 3-ketoacyl-CoA. As in the biosynthesis of palmitic acid, the 3-ketoacyl-CoA is processed to remove the keto group. In this way, stearic acid is produced.[3]
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References[edit]
- ^ Jump, D. B. (2009). "Mammalian Fatty Acid Elongases". Lipidomics. Methods in Molecular Biology. Vol. 579. pp. 375–389. doi:10.1007/978-1-60761-322-0_19. ISBN 978-1-60761-321-3. PMC 2764369. PMID 19763486.
- ^ Nelson, David L.; Cox, Michael M. (2005). Principles of Biochemistry (4th ed.). New York: W. H. Freeman. p. 780. ISBN 0-7167-4339-6.
- ^ Jakobsson, A.; Westerberg, R.; Jacobsson, A. (2006). "Fatty acid elongases in mammals: Their regulation and roles in metabolism". Progress in Lipid Research. 45 (3): 237–249. doi:10.1016/j.plipres.2006.01.004.
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