title: The use of clustering techniques in the elucidation or confirmation of metabolic pathways. Application to the branched-chain fatty acids present in the milk fat of lactating goats.
abstract: The aim of this paper is 2-fold. (1) To propose the use of a group of mathematical techniques, called clustering, in the elucidation of complex metabolic relationships. (2) To apply clustering for the identification of related groups of saturated fatty acids having a common metabolic pathway for their biosynthesis in the milk fat of lactating goats. In this way, four groups of branched-chain fatty acids and two groups of straight-chain fatty acids are identified; the odd-numbered iso-, the even-numbered iso-, the anteiso-acids and the branched-chain fatty acids with methyl substitution in the chain, the odd-numbered straight-chain and the even-numbered straight-chain fatty acids. The long-chain fatty acids are not part of any group. The different metabolic pathways for their biosynthesis are discussed. From the results, it is concluded that clustering is indeed a potentially useful tool in the study of complex metabolic relationships.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006041:Goats; D007774:Lactation; D008892:Milk / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D011247:Pregnancy; D013029:Space-Time Clustering
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids