title: The characterization of the linoleic acid desaturation and elongation system in ovine placental tissue.
abstract: The desaturation and elongation of linoleic acid has been studied in homogenates and in subfractions of ovine placental tissue. The reaction was characterized in terms of pH and temperature optima, time course and protein concentration. Activity was found to be confined to the 11,000 g supernatant fraction of the tissue and the results suggest that the enzymes are membrane bound. The cytosolic fraction and ATP were required for full activity and the reaction was inhibited by cyanide. The properties of the reaction are compared with those of other desaturation systems and their implications with regard to possible reaction mechanisms are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007700:Kinetics; D019787:Linoleic Acid; D008041:Linoleic Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D008861:Microsomes / Q000201:enzymology; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012756:Sheep; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D008041:Linoleic Acids; D019787:Linoleic Acid; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases