A Desaturase is an enzyme which removes two hydrogen atoms from an organic compound, creating a carbon/carbon double bond. Enzymes are Biomolecules that catalyze ( ie increase the rates of Chemical reactions Almost all enzymes are Proteins Hydrogen (ˈhaɪdrədʒən is the Chemical element with Atomic number 1 An organic compound is any member of a large class of Chemical compounds whose Molecules contain Carbon. Carbon (kɑɹbən is a Chemical element with the symbol C and its Atomic number is 6 Desaturases are classified as
In the biosynthesis of essential fatty acids, an elongase alternates with different desaturases (for example, Δ6desaturase) repeatedly inserting an ethyl group, then forming a double bond. Biosynthesis is a phenomenon wherein Chemical compounds are produced from simpler Reagents Biosynthesis unlike Chemosynthesis, takes place within living Essential fatty acids, or EFAs are Fatty acids that cannot be constructed within an organism from other components (generally all references are to humans by any known chemical In Chemistry, an ethyl group is an Alkyl Functional group derived from Ethane ( C 2 H 6
Three desaturases occur in humans: Δ9desaturase, Δ6desaturase and Δ5 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. Stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 is a key Enzyme in Fatty acid metabolism. Oleic acid is a Monounsaturated omega-9 Fatty acid found in various animal and vegetable sources Δ9desaturase produces oleic acid by desaturating stearic acid, a saturated fatty acid either synthesized in the body from palmitic acid, or ingested directly. Stearic acid (first syllable rhymes with either bear or gear) ( IUPAC Systematic name: octadecanoic acid) is a saturated Palmitic acid,CH3(CH214COOH or hexadecanoic acid in IUPAC nomenclature, is one of the most common saturated Fatty acids found in animals
Δ6 and Δ5 desaturases are required for the synthesis of highly unsaturated fatty acids such as eicosopentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (synthesized from linolenic acid), and arachidonic acid (synthesized from linoleic acid). Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA or also icosapentaenoic acid is an Omega-3 fatty acid. Docosahexaenoic acid (commonly known as DHA; 226(ω-3 all-cis -docosa-4710131619-hexa- enoic acid Trivial name cervonic Arachidonic acid (AA sometimes ARA is an Omega-6 fatty acid 204(ω-6 Linoleic acid (LA is an unsaturated Omega-6 fatty acid. It is a colorless liquid 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.
Nakamura MT, Nara TY (2004). "Structure, function and dietary regulation of Δ6, Δ5 and Δ9 desaturases". Annual Review of Nutrition (24): 345–76. doi:. A digital object identifier ( DOI) is a permanent identifier given to an Electronic document.