The multienzyme complex that synthesizes very long chain fatty acids is embedded in the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum. In this issue, Denic and Weissman (2007) describe the reconstitution of this complex in liposomes and reveal how elongase proteins (Elops) determine the final length of the fatty acyl CoA chain.

Low erucic acid is a major breeding target to improve the edible oil quality in Brassica juncea. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in fatty acid elongase 1 (FAE1.1 and FAE1.2) gene was exploited to expedite the breeding program. The paralogs of FAE1 gene were sequenced from low erucic acid genotype Pusa Mustard 30 and SNPs were identified through homologous alignment with sequence downlo...

A number of inhibitors have been used as probes in characterizing details of plant fatty acid synthesis. These include such molecules as arsenite, cerulenin, cyanide, fluoride and thiocarbamate herbicides (cf. Harwood, 1979). In order to increase our knowledge of reaction details, we began work with metronidazole (2-methylS-nitroimidazole1-ethanol), a drug widely used clinically for the treatme...

Very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) are essential fatty acids with multiple functions, including ceramide synthesis. Although the components of the VLCFA biosynthetic machinery have been elucidated, how their activity is regulated to meet the cell's metabolic demand remains unknown. The goal of this study was to identify mechanisms that regulate the rate of VLCFA synthesis, and we discovered t...

Euglena gracilis is able to synthesize adenosine triphosphate under anaerobic conditions through a malonyl-independent fatty acid synthesis leading to wax ester fermentation. Mitochondrial fatty acid synthesis uses acetyl-CoA and propionyl-CoA as C2- and C3-donors for de novo synthesis of even- and odd-numbered fatty acids, respectively. Euglena's wax ester fermentation has only been described ...

cardiovascular disease (cvd) is the leading cause of death and disability in developed countries. atherosclerosis is the major cause of cvd, accounting for about half of the attributed deaths. cholesterol homeostasis is one of the most important factors in atherosclerosis. atp-binding cassette transporters cholesterol. omega (ω) 3 fatty acids are important ligands for regulation of abc transpor...

23 24 Fish have an absolute dietary requirement for certain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) 25 termed " essential fatty acids " (EFA) that include members of both the n-6 and n-3 series 26 typified by linoleic acid, 18:2n-6, and α-linolenic acid, 18:3n-3. However, the biologically 27 active forms of EFA are generally the C 20 and C 22 metabolites of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3, viz. PUFA through a s...

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) includes various hepatic pathologies ranging from hepatic steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis and cirrhosis. Estrogen provides a protective effect on the development of NAFLD in women. Therefore, postmenopausal women have a higher risk of developing NAFLD. Hepatic steatosis is an early stage of fatty liver disease. Steatosis can d...

The regulatory control mechanisms of lipid and fatty acid metabolism were investigated in Atlantic salmon. We identified sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) genes in salmon and characterised their response, and the response of potential target and other regulatory genes including liver X receptor (LXR), to cholesterol and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) in the sal...

The aim of this research was to investigate the changes in milk yield and its composition, fatty acid profile and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors gamma (PPARG) gene expression in adipose tissue of Iranian Holstein cattle in response to feeding isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets but formulated based on different oilseeds (soybean or canola seeds). Twenty cows were tested ra...