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Unsaturated fatty acid:
Metabolism, synthesis and gene regulation
Qiong Wu1, Tao
Liu2, Heng Liu1*, and
Guochang Zheng1
1Institute
of Cell Biology, Life Science School, Lanzhou University,
Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, P.R, China.
2Library,
Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, Gansu, P.R,
China.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
hengliu@lzu.edu.cn;
hengliu_2007@yahoo.com.cn.
Abbreviations: S-ACP-DES,
Stearoyl-ACP-desaturase; FA, fatty acid; PUFA,
polyunsaturated fatty acids; 18:0, stearic acid; MUFA:
monounsaturated fatty acids; 18:1, oleic acid.
Accepted
6 April, 2009 |
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In both plants and animals, unsaturated fatty acids are
considered to be essential membrane components. Also they
play key roles in many cellular events. The synthesis and
metabolism of unsaturated fatty acid are very complex
processes, involving a variety of enzymes and regulated
pathways. Most recently, research has focused on identifying
genes modulating unsaturated fatty acids and studying the
metabolism and synthesis at both transcriptional and
post-translational levels. The key enzymes and regulated
pathways involved in either the metabolism or the synthesis
of fatty acid have been identified.
Key
words:
Unsaturated fatty, oleic acid, synthesis, gene regulation.
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