The long and short of fatty acid synthesis

Cell. 2007 Aug 24;130(4):587-8. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2007.08.008.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • 3-Oxoacyl-(Acyl-Carrier-Protein) Reductase
  • Acetyltransferases / metabolism
  • Alcohol Oxidoreductases / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Coenzyme A Ligases / metabolism
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / enzymology
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / metabolism
  • Fatty Acid Elongases
  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / biosynthesis*
  • Humans
  • Hydro-Lyases / metabolism
  • Liposomes / chemistry
  • Long-Chain-Fatty-Acid-CoA Ligase
  • Models, Biological
  • Oxidoreductases / metabolism

Substances

  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified
  • Liposomes
  • Oxidoreductases
  • Alcohol Oxidoreductases
  • 3-Oxoacyl-(Acyl-Carrier-Protein) Reductase
  • Acetyltransferases
  • Fatty Acid Elongases
  • Hydro-Lyases
  • Coenzyme A Ligases
  • Long-Chain-Fatty-Acid-CoA Ligase