Biological Role of Unsaturated Fatty Acid Desaturases in Health and Disease

Abstract

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are considered one of the most important components of cells that influence normal development and function of many organisms, both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Unsaturated fatty acid desaturases play a crucial role in the synthesis of PUFAs, inserting additional unsaturated bonds into the acyl chain. The level of expression and activity of different types of desaturases determines profiles of PUFAs. It is well recognized that qualitative and quantitative changes in the PUFA profile, resulting from alterations in the expression and activity of fatty acid desaturases, are associated with many pathological conditions. Understanding of underlying mechanisms of fatty acid desaturase activity and their functional modification will facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies in diseases associated with qualitative and quantitative disorders of PUFA.

Keywords: FADS; desaturation; disease; fatty acid desaturase; polyunsaturated fatty acid.

Figure 1

Desaturase-mediated synthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). ALA—alpha-linolenic acid, 18:3 n-3, ARA—arachidonic acid, 20:4 n-6, DGLA—dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid, 20:3 n-6, DHA—docosahexaenoic acid, 22:6 n-3, DPA—docosapentaenoic acid, 22:5 n-3, D4D—delta-4 desaturase, D5D—delta-5 desaturase, D6D—delta-6 desaturase, D8D—delta-8 desaturase, D12D—delta-12 desaturase, D15D—delta-15 desaturase, EDA—eicosadienoic acid, 20:2 n-6, ETA—eicosatetraenoic acid, 20:4 n-3, ETE—eicosatrienoic acid, 20:3 n-3, EPA—eicosapentaenoic acid, 20:5 n-3, GLA—gamma-linolenic acid, 18:3 n-6, LA—linoleic acid, 18:2 n-6, OA—oleic acid, 18:1 n-9, SCD—stearoyl-CoA desaturase (delta-9 desaturase), SDA—stearidonic acid, 18:4 n-3.