A fatty acid desaturase is an
enzyme
Enzymes () are proteins that act as biological catalysts by accelerating chemical reactions. The molecules upon which enzymes may act are called substrates, and the enzyme converts the substrates into different molecules known as products. A ...
that removes two
hydrogen
Hydrogen is the chemical element with the symbol H and atomic number 1. Hydrogen is the lightest element. At standard conditions hydrogen is a gas of diatomic molecules having the formula . It is colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, an ...
atoms from a
fatty acid
In chemistry, particularly in biochemistry, a fatty acid is a carboxylic acid with an aliphatic chain, which is either saturated or unsaturated. Most naturally occurring fatty acids have an unbranched chain of an even number of carbon atoms, fr ...
, creating a
carbon
Carbon () is a chemical element with the symbol C and atomic number 6. It is nonmetallic and tetravalent
In chemistry, the valence (US spelling) or valency (British spelling) of an element is the measure of its combining capacity with o ...
/carbon
double bond
In chemistry, a double bond is a covalent bond between two atoms involving four bonding electrons as opposed to two in a single bond. Double bonds occur most commonly between two carbon atoms, for example in alkenes. Many double bonds exist betw ...
. These desaturases are classified as:
* Delta - indicating that the double bond is created at a fixed position from the
carboxyl
In organic chemistry, a carboxylic acid is an organic acid that contains a carboxyl group () attached to an R-group. The general formula of a carboxylic acid is or , with R referring to the alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, or other group. Carboxylic ...
end of a
fatty acid
In chemistry, particularly in biochemistry, a fatty acid is a carboxylic acid with an aliphatic chain, which is either saturated or unsaturated. Most naturally occurring fatty acids have an unbranched chain of an even number of carbon atoms, fr ...
chain. For example,
Δ9 desaturase creates a double bond between the ninth and tenth carbon atom from the carboxyl end.
* Omega - indicating the double bond is created at a fixed position from the
methyl
In organic chemistry, a methyl group is an alkyl derived from methane, containing one carbon atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms, having chemical formula . In formulas, the group is often abbreviated as Me. This hydrocarbon group occurs in many ...
end of a fatty acid chain. For instance, ω
3 desaturase creates a double bond between the third and fourth carbon atom from the methyl end. In other words, it creates an
omega-3 fatty acid
Omega−3 fatty acids, also called Omega-3 oils, ω−3 fatty acids or ''n''−3 fatty acids, are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) characterized by the presence of a double bond, three atoms away from the terminal methyl group in their chem ...
.
For example,
Δ6 desaturation introduces a double bond between carbons 6 and 7 of
Linoleic acid
Linoleic acid (LA) is an organic compound with the formula COOH(CH2)7CH=CHCH2CH=CH(CH2)4CH3. Both alkene groups are cis-trans isomerism, ''cis''. It is a fatty acid sometimes denoted 18:2 (n-6) or 18:2 ''cis''-9,12. A linoleate is a salt (chem ...
(LA C
18H
32O
2; 18:2-n6) and
α-Linolenic acid
''alpha''-Linolenic acid (ALA), also known as α-Linolenic acid (from Greek language, Greek ''alpha'' meaning "first" and ''linon'' meaning flax), is an omega-3 fatty acid, ''n''−3, or omega-3, essential fatty acid. ALA is found in many seeds ...
(ALA: C
18H
30O
2; 18:3-n3), creating
''γ''-linolenic acid (GLA: C
18H
30O
2,18:3-n6) and
stearidonic acid
Stearidonic acid (SDA: C18 H28 O2; 18: 4, n-3) is an ω-3 fatty acid, sometimes called moroctic acid. It is biosynthesized from alpha-linolenic acid (ALA: C18H30O2; 18:3, n-3) by the enzyme delta-6-desaturase, that removes two hydrogen (H) ato ...
(SDA: C
18H
28O
2; 18:4-n3) respectively.
In humans, Δ17-
desaturase
A fatty acid desaturase is an enzyme that removes two hydrogen atoms from a fatty acid, creating a carbon/carbon double bond. These desaturases are classified as:
* Delta - indicating that the double bond is created at a fixed position from the ...
is able to turn
omega 6
Omega-6 fatty acids (also referred to as ω-6 fatty acids or ''n''-6 fatty acids) are a family of polyunsaturated fatty acids that have in common a final carbon-carbon double bond in the ''n''-6 position, that is, the sixth bond, counting from ...
into omega 3 essential fatty acids.
In the
biosynthesis
Biosynthesis is a multi-step, enzyme-catalyzed process where substrates are converted into more complex products in living organisms. In biosynthesis, simple compounds are modified, converted into other compounds, or joined to form macromolecules. ...
of
essential fatty acid
Essential fatty acids, or EFAs, are fatty acids that humans and other animals must ingest because the body requires them for good health but cannot synthesize them.
Only two fatty acids are known to be essential for humans: alpha-linolenic ac ...
s, an
elongase alternates with different desaturases (for example, Δ
6desaturase) repeatedly inserting an
ethyl group
In organic chemistry, an ethyl group (abbr. Et) is an alkyl substituent with the formula , derived from ethane (). ''Ethyl'' is used in the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry's nomenclature of organic chemistry for a saturated ...
, then forming a double bond.
Function
Maintain structure and function of
membranes
A membrane is a selective barrier; it allows some things to pass through but stops others. Such things may be molecules, ions, or other small particles. Membranes can be generally classified into synthetic membranes and biological membranes. Bi ...
within cells of the organisms above, by its
esterification
In chemistry, an ester is a compound derived from an oxoacid (organic or inorganic) in which at least one hydroxyl group () is replaced by an alkoxy group (), as in the substitution reaction of a carboxylic acid and an alcohol. Glycerides ar ...
of highly
unsaturated fatty acids
In nutrition, biology, and chemistry, fat usually means any ester of fatty acids, or a mixture of such compounds, most commonly those that occur in living beings or in food.
The term often refers specifically to triglycerides (triple est ...
(
HUFAs) into
phospholipids
Phospholipids, are a class of lipids whose molecule has a hydrophilic "head" containing a phosphate group and two hydrophobic "tails" derived from fatty acids, joined by an alcohol residue (usually a glycerol molecule). Marine phospholipids typ ...
, and
cell signaling
In biology, cell signaling (cell signalling in British English) or cell communication is the ability of a cell to receive, process, and transmit signals with its environment and with itself. Cell signaling is a fundamental property of all cellula ...
.
This is important when temperatures changes and the membrane is under distress. The enzyme creates the double bond C-Cs which allow the membrane to become more fluid and the temperature is decreased.
When temperatures change, a phase transition occurs. In the case of a temperature decrease, the membrane gels and becomes solid which can result in cracks and the imbedded proteins cannot partake in conformational changes, therefore it is important to maintain
membrane fluidity
In biology, membrane fluidity refers to the viscosity of the lipid bilayer of a cell membrane or a synthetic lipid membrane. Lipid packing can influence the fluidity of the membrane. Viscosity of the membrane can affect the rotation and diffusion ...
.
Role in human metabolism
Fatty acid desaturase appear in all organisms: for example, bacteria, fungus, plants, animals and humans.
Four desaturases occur in humans:
Δ9 desaturase,
Δ6 desaturase,
Δ5 desaturase, and
Δ4 desaturase.
Δ
9 desaturase, also known as
stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1
Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (Δ-9-desaturase) is an endoplasmic reticulum enzyme that catalyzes the rate-limiting step in the formation of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), specifically oleate and palmitoleate from stearoyl-CoA and palmitoyl-C ...
, is used to synthesize
oleic acid
Oleic acid is a fatty acid that occurs naturally in various animal and vegetable fats and oils. It is an odorless, colorless oil, although commercial samples may be yellowish. In chemical terms, oleic acid is classified as a monounsaturated omega ...
, a monounsaturated, ubiquitous component of all cells in the human body, and the major fatty acid in
mammalian
Mammals () are a group of vertebrate animals constituting the class (biology), class Mammalia (), characterized by the presence of mammary glands which in Female#Mammalian female, females produce milk for feeding (nursing) their young, a ...
adipose
Adipose tissue, body fat, or simply fat is a loose connective tissue composed mostly of adipocytes. In addition to adipocytes, adipose tissue contains the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) of cells including preadipocytes, fibroblasts, vascular ...
triglycerides
A triglyceride (TG, triacylglycerol, TAG, or triacylglyceride) is an ester derived from glycerol and three fatty acids (from ''tri-'' and ''glyceride'').
Triglycerides are the main constituents of body fat in humans and other vertebrates, as we ...
, and also used for
phospholipid
Phospholipids, are a class of lipids whose molecule has a hydrophilic "head" containing a phosphate group and two hydrophobic "tails" derived from fatty acids, joined by an alcohol residue (usually a glycerol molecule). Marine phospholipids typ ...
and
cholesteryl ester
300px, Cholesterol oleate, a member of the cholesteryl ester family
Cholesteryl ester, a dietary lipid, is an ester of cholesterol. The ester bond is formed between the carboxylate group of a fatty acid and the hydroxyl group of cholesterol. Chole ...
synthesis.
Δ
9 desaturase produces oleic acid (C
18H
34O
2; 18:1-n9) by desaturating
stearic acid
Stearic acid ( , ) is a saturated fatty acid with an 18-carbon chain. The IUPAC name is octadecanoic acid. It is a waxy solid and its chemical formula is C17H35CO2H. Its name comes from the Greek word στέαρ "''stéar''", which means tallow. ...
(SA: C
18H
36O
2; 18:0), a saturated fatty acid either synthesized in the body from
palmitic acid
Palmitic acid (hexadecanoic acid in IUPAC nomenclature) is a fatty acid with a 16-carbon chain. It is the most common saturated fatty acid found in animals, plants and microorganisms.Gunstone, F. D., John L. Harwood, and Albert J. Dijkstra. The Li ...
(PA: C
16H
32O
2; 16:0) or ingested directly.
Δ6 and
Δ5 desaturases are required for the synthesis of highly unsaturated fatty acids such as
eicosopentaenoic and
docosahexaenoic acid
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid that is a primary structural component of the human brain, cerebral cortex, skin, and retina. In physiological literature, it is given the name 22:6(n-3). It can be synthesized from alpha-lino ...
s (synthesized from
α-linolenic acid
''alpha''-Linolenic acid (ALA), also known as α-Linolenic acid (from Greek language, Greek ''alpha'' meaning "first" and ''linon'' meaning flax), is an omega-3 fatty acid, ''n''−3, or omega-3, essential fatty acid. ALA is found in many seeds ...
);
arachidonic acid and
adrenic acid
Docosatetraenoic acid designates any straight chain 22:4 fatty acid. (''See'' essential fatty acid for nomenclature.)
One isomer is of particular interest:
* all-''cis''-7,10,13,16-docosatetraenoic acid is an ω-6 fatty acid with the common nam ...
(synthesized from
linoleic acid
Linoleic acid (LA) is an organic compound with the formula COOH(CH2)7CH=CHCH2CH=CH(CH2)4CH3. Both alkene groups are cis-trans isomerism, ''cis''. It is a fatty acid sometimes denoted 18:2 (n-6) or 18:2 ''cis''-9,12. A linoleate is a salt (chem ...
). This is a multi-stage process requiring successive actions by elongase and desaturase enzymes. The genes coding for Δ
6 and Δ
5 desaturase production have been located on
human chromosome 11.
Synthesis
Synthesis or synthesize may refer to:
Science Chemistry and biochemistry
*Chemical synthesis, the execution of chemical reactions to form a more complex molecule from chemical precursors
** Organic synthesis, the chemical synthesis of organ ...
of
LC-PUFAs in
humans
Humans (''Homo sapiens'') are the most abundant and widespread species of primate, characterized by bipedalism and exceptional cognitive skills due to a large and complex brain. This has enabled the development of advanced tools, culture, ...
and many other
eukaryotes
Eukaryotes () are organisms whose cells have a nucleus. All animals, plants, fungi, and many unicellular organisms, are Eukaryotes. They belong to the group of organisms Eukaryota or Eukarya, which is one of the three domains of life. Bacte ...
starts with:
* Linoleic acid
Linoleic acid (LA) is an organic compound with the formula COOH(CH2)7CH=CHCH2CH=CH(CH2)4CH3. Both alkene groups are cis-trans isomerism, ''cis''. It is a fatty acid sometimes denoted 18:2 (n-6) or 18:2 ''cis''-9,12. A linoleate is a salt (chem ...
(LA: C
18H
32O
2; 18:2-n6) → Δ6-desaturation →
''γ''-linolenic acid (GLA: C
18H
30O
2; 18:3-n6) → Δ6-specific elongase (introducing two carbons) →
Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid DGLA: C
20H
34O
2; 20:3-n6) → Δ5-desaturase →
arachidonic acid (AA: C
20H
32O
2; 20:4-n6) → also endocannabinoids.
* α-Linolenic acid
''alpha''-Linolenic acid (ALA), also known as α-Linolenic acid (from Greek language, Greek ''alpha'' meaning "first" and ''linon'' meaning flax), is an omega-3 fatty acid, ''n''−3, or omega-3, essential fatty acid. ALA is found in many seeds ...
(ALA: C
18H
30O
2; 18:3-n3) → Δ6-desaturation →
stearidonic acid
Stearidonic acid (SDA: C18 H28 O2; 18: 4, n-3) is an ω-3 fatty acid, sometimes called moroctic acid. It is biosynthesized from alpha-linolenic acid (ALA: C18H30O2; 18:3, n-3) by the enzyme delta-6-desaturase, that removes two hydrogen (H) ato ...
(SDA: C
18H
28O
2; 18:4-n3) and/or → Δ6-specific elongase →
eicosatetraenoic acid Eicosatetraenoic acid (ETA) designates any straight chain 20:4 fatty acid. Eicosatetraenoic acid belongs to the family of eicosanoids, molecules synthesized from oxidized polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to mediate cell-cell communication. The ei ...
(ETA: C
20H
32O
2; 20:4-n3) → Δ5-desaturase →
eicosapentaenoic acid
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; also icosapentaenoic acid) is an omega-3 fatty acid. In physiological literature, it is given the name 20:5(n-3). It also has the trivial name timnodonic acid. In chemical structure, EPA is a carboxylic acid with a 20-c ...
(EPA: C
20H
30O
2; 20:5-n3).
By a Δ17-desaturase,
gamma-Linolenic acid (GLA: C
18H
30O
2; 18:3-n6) can be further converted to
Stearidonic acid
Stearidonic acid (SDA: C18 H28 O2; 18: 4, n-3) is an ω-3 fatty acid, sometimes called moroctic acid. It is biosynthesized from alpha-linolenic acid (ALA: C18H30O2; 18:3, n-3) by the enzyme delta-6-desaturase, that removes two hydrogen (H) ato ...
(SDA: C
18H
28O
2; 18:4-n3),
dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DHGLA/DGLA: C
20H
34O
2; 20:3-n6) to
eicosatetraenoic acid Eicosatetraenoic acid (ETA) designates any straight chain 20:4 fatty acid. Eicosatetraenoic acid belongs to the family of eicosanoids, molecules synthesized from oxidized polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to mediate cell-cell communication. The ei ...
(ETA: C
20H
32O
2; 20:4-n3; omega-3 Arachidonic acid) and
arachidonic acid (AA: C
20H
32O
2; 20:4-n6) to
eicosapentaenoic acid
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; also icosapentaenoic acid) is an omega-3 fatty acid. In physiological literature, it is given the name 20:5(n-3). It also has the trivial name timnodonic acid. In chemical structure, EPA is a carboxylic acid with a 20-c ...
(EPA: C
20H
30O
2; 20:5-n3), respectively.
*
Fatty acids
In chemistry, particularly in biochemistry, a fatty acid is a carboxylic acid with an aliphatic chain, which is either saturated or unsaturated. Most naturally occurring fatty acids have an unbranched chain of an even number of carbon atoms, f ...
with at least 20 carbons (C
20) and three double bonds (20:3) bind to
CB1 receptors.
*
Arachidonic acid (AA) is also the catalyst to the formation of the two main
endocannabinoids
Cannabinoids () are several structural classes of compounds found in the cannabis plant primarily and most animal organisms (although insects lack such receptors) or as synthetic compounds. The most notable cannabinoid is the phytocannabinoid tet ...
,
Anandamide
Anandamide (ANA), also known as ''N''-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA), is a fatty acid neurotransmitter. Anandamide was the first endocannabinoid to be discovered: it participates in the body's endocannabinoid system by binding to cannabinoid rec ...
(AEA) and
2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG).
* Anandamide
Anandamide (ANA), also known as ''N''-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA), is a fatty acid neurotransmitter. Anandamide was the first endocannabinoid to be discovered: it participates in the body's endocannabinoid system by binding to cannabinoid rec ...
(AEA: C
22H
37 NO2; 20:4,n-6) is an
''N''-acylethanolamine resulting from the formal
condensation
Condensation is the change of the state of matter from the gas phase into the liquid phase, and is the reverse of vaporization. The word most often refers to the water cycle. It can also be defined as the change in the state of water vapor to ...
of the
carboxy
In organic chemistry, a carboxylic acid is an organic acid that contains a carboxyl group () attached to an R-group. The general formula of a carboxylic acid is or , with R referring to the alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, or other group. Carboxylic ...
group of arachidonic acid (AA: C
20H
32O
2; 20:4-n6) with the
amino
In chemistry, amines (, ) are compounds and functional groups that contain a basic nitrogen atom with a lone pair. Amines are formally derivatives of ammonia (), wherein one or more hydrogen atoms have been replaced by a substituent ...
group of
ethanolamine
Ethanolamine (2-aminoethanol, monoethanolamine, ETA, or MEA) is an organic chemical compound with the formula or . The molecule is bifunctional, containing both a primary amine and a primary alcohol. Ethanolamine is a colorless, viscous liquid wit ...
(C
2H
7 NO), bind preferably to
CB1 receptors.
* 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG: C
23H
38O
4; 20:4-n6) is an endogenous
agonist
An agonist is a chemical that activates a receptor to produce a biological response. Receptors are cellular proteins whose activation causes the cell to modify what it is currently doing. In contrast, an antagonist blocks the action of the ago ...
of the
cannabinoid receptors
Cannabinoid receptors, located throughout the body, are part of the endocannabinoid system a class of cell membrane receptors in the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily. As is typical of G protein-coupled receptors, the cannabinoid recepto ...
(CB1 and CB2), and the physiological
ligand
In coordination chemistry, a ligand is an ion or molecule (functional group) that binds to a central metal atom to form a coordination complex. The bonding with the metal generally involves formal donation of one or more of the ligand's electr ...
for the cannabinoid
CB2 receptor
The cannabinoid receptor type 2, abbreviated as CB2, is a G protein-coupled receptor from the cannabinoid receptor family that in humans is encoded by the ''CNR2'' gene. It is closely related to the cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1), which is la ...
. It is an
ester
In chemistry, an ester is a compound derived from an oxoacid (organic or inorganic) in which at least one hydroxyl group () is replaced by an alkoxy group (), as in the substitution reaction of a carboxylic acid and an alcohol. Glycerides ar ...
formed from omega-6-arachidonic acid (AA: C
20H
32O
2; 20:4-n6) and
glycerol
Glycerol (), also called glycerine in British English and glycerin in American English, is a simple triol compound. It is a colorless, odorless, viscous liquid that is sweet-tasting and non-toxic. The glycerol backbone is found in lipids known ...
(C
3H
8O
3).
Vertebrates are unable to synthesize polyunsaturated fatty acids because they do not have the necessary fatty acid desaturases to "convert oleic acid (18:1''n''-9) into linoleic acid (18:2''n''-6) and α-linolenic acid (18:3''n''-3)".
Linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA) are essential for human health and development, and should therefore be consumed by diets, like 15 ml of
hemp seed oil
Hemp oil (hemp seed oil) is oil obtained by pressing hemp seeds. Cold pressed, unrefined hemp oil is dark to clear light green in color, with a nutty flavor. The darker the color, the grassier the flavour. It should not be confused with hash oi ...
, or/and 33 gram of
hemp seed protein a day, can provide all the
protein
Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, respo ...
, essential fatty acids, and
dietary fiber
Dietary fiber (in British English fibre) or roughage is the portion of plant-derived food that cannot be completely broken down by human digestive enzymes. Dietary fibers are diverse in chemical composition, and can be grouped generally by the ...
necessary for human survival for one day, as their absence has been found responsible for the development of a wide range of diseases such as
metabolic disorder
A metabolic disorder is a disorder that negatively alters the body's processing and distribution of macronutrients, such as proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Metabolic disorders can happen when abnormal chemical reactions in the body alter the ...
s,
cardiovascular disorders
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels. CVD includes coronary artery diseases (CAD) such as angina and myocardial infarction (commonly known as a heart attack). Other CVDs include stroke, hea ...
,
inflammatory processes,
viral infections
A viral disease (or viral infection) occurs when an organism's body is invaded by pathogenic viruses, and infectious virus particles (virions) attach to and enter susceptible cells.
Structural Characteristics
Basic structural characteristics, ...
, certain types of
cancer
Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal b ...
and
autoimmune disorders
An autoimmune disease is a condition arising from an abnormal immune response to a functioning body part. At least 80 types of autoimmune diseases have been identified, with some evidence suggesting that there may be more than 100 types. Nearly a ...
.
Human fatty acid desaturases include:
DEGS1;
DEGS2;
FADS1
Fatty acid desaturase 1 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the ''FADS1'' gene.
Function
The protein encoded by the FADS1 gene is a member of the fatty acid desaturase (FADS) gene family and desaturates omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated ...
;
FADS2
Fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2) is encoded by the ''FADS2'' gene, the associated enzyme is sometimes known as FADS2 as well. Its main associated enzyme is Delta 6 desaturase (D6D) however the human enzyme been shown to also catalyze some delta-8 a ...
;
FADS3;
FADS6;
SCD4;
SCD5
Classification
Δ-desaturases are represented by two distinct families which do not seem to be evolutionarily related.
Family 1 includes
Stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1
Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (Δ-9-desaturase) is an endoplasmic reticulum enzyme that catalyzes the rate-limiting step in the formation of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), specifically oleate and palmitoleate from stearoyl-CoA and palmitoyl-C ...
(SCD) ().
Family 2 is composed of:
* Bacterial fatty acid desaturases.
* Plant stearoyl-
acyl-carrier-protein desaturase (),
an enzyme that catalyzes the introduction of a double bond at the delta-9 position of steraoyl-ACP to produce oleoyl-ACP. This enzyme is responsible for the conversion of saturated fatty acids to unsaturated fatty acids in the synthesis of vegetable oils.
* Cyanobacterial DesA,
an enzyme that can introduce a second cis double bond at the delta-12 position of fatty acid bound to membrane glycerolipids. This enzyme is involved in chilling tolerance; the phase transition temperature of lipids of cellular membranes being dependent on the degree of unsaturation of fatty acids of the membrane lipids.
Acyl-CoA dehydrogenases
Acyl-CoA dehydrogenase Acyl-CoA dehydrogenases (ACADs) are a class of enzymes that function to catalyze the initial step in each cycle of fatty acid β-oxidation in the mitochondria of cells. Their action results in the introduction of a trans double-bond between C2 ...
s are
enzymes
Enzymes () are proteins that act as biological catalysts by accelerating chemical reactions. The molecules upon which enzymes may act are called substrate (chemistry), substrates, and the enzyme converts the substrates into different molecule ...
that catalyze formation of a double bond between C2 (α) and C3 (β) of the acyl-CoA
thioester
In organic chemistry, thioesters are organosulfur compounds with the functional group . They are analogous to carboxylate esters () with the sulfur in the thioester playing the role of the linking oxygen in the carboxylate ester, as implied by t ...
substrates.
Flavin adenine dinucleotide
Flavin may refer to:
Placename
* Flavin, Aveyron, a commune in southern France
Surname
* Adrian Flavin (born 1979), a professional rugby player
* Christopher Flavin, president of the Worldwatch Institute
* Dan Flavin (1933–1996), a minimalis ...
(FAD) is a required co-factor.
See also
''N-''acylethanolamine (NAE)
References
{{InterPro content, IPR005067
Enzymes