title: The delta 5 and delta 6 desaturation of fatty acids of varying chain length by rat liver: a preliminary report.
abstract: The delta 6 desaturase of rat liver can accommodate substrates with a wide range of chain length. delta 9-cis, 12-cis-Dienoic acids of chain lengths 14-22 carbon atoms were all desaturated at the delta 6 position by microsmal preparations from rat liver. By contrast, the delta 5 desaturase appeared much more chain-length sensitive. The percentage delta 5 desaturation of a series of delta 8-cis- and delta 9-trans-monoenoic acids increased with increasing chain length (from C16 to C20).
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases / Q000378:metabolism*; D008055:Lipids / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000201:enzymology*; D051381:Rats; D013379:Substrate Specificity
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases