Conversion of hexadecanoic acid to hexadecenoic acid by rat Δ6-desaturase

Abstract

A higher content of C16:1 n-10 has recently been reported in the preputial gland of mice with a targeted disruption of the gene encoding stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1−/− mice) when compared with wild-type mice. This result has provided the first physiological evidence for the presence and regulation of a palmitoyl-CoA Δ6-desaturase in mammals. To investigate the putative involvement of the known Δ6-desaturase (FADS2) in this process, COS-7 cells expressing rat Δ6-desaturase were incubated with C16:0. Transfected cells were able to synthesize C16:1 n-10, while nontransfected cells did not produce any C16:1 n-10.Evidence is therefore presented that the rat Δ6-desaturase, which acts on the 18- and 24-carbon fatty acids of the n-6 and n-3 series, is also able to catalyze palmitic acid Δ6-desaturation.

Keywords

• desaturation
• saturated fatty acids
• FADS2
• animal