Role in Human Metabolism
Four desaturases occur in humans: Δ9desaturase, Δ6desaturase, Δ5 desaturase, and Δ4 desaturase.
Δ9desaturase, also known as stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1, is used to synthesize oleic acid, a monounsaturated, ubiquitous component of all cells in the human body. Δ9desaturase produces oleic acid by desaturating stearic acid, a saturated fatty acid either synthesized in the body from palmitic acid or ingested directly.
Δ6 and Δ5 desaturases are required for the synthesis of highly unsaturated fatty acids such as eicosopentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (synthesized from a-linolenic acid), and arachidonic acid (synthesized from linoleic acid). This is a multi-stage process requiring successive actions by elongase and desaturase enzymes. The genes coding for Δ6 and Δ5 desaturase production have been located on human chromosome 11.
- Human fatty acid desaturases:
DEGS1; DEGS2; FADS1; FADS2; FADS3; FADS6; SCD4; SCD5
Read more about this topic: Fatty Acid Desaturase
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