The Bacillus subtilis acyl lipid desaturase is a delta5 desaturase.
Bacillus subtilis was recently reported to synthesize unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) with a double bond at positions delta5, delta7, and delta9 (M. H. Weber, W. Klein, L. Muller, U. M. Niess, and M. A. Marahiel, Mol. Microbiol. 39:1321-1329, 2001). Since this finding would have considerable importance in the double-bond positional specificity displayed by the B. subtilis acyl lipid desaturase, we have attempted to confirm this observation. We report that the double bond of UFAs synthesized by B. subtilis is located exclusively at the delta5 position, regardless of the growth temperature and the length chain of the fatty acids.
Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, S2002LRK-Rosario, Argentina.
Silvia G
SG
Altabe
Pablo
P
Aguilar
Gerardo M
GM
Caballero
Diego
D
de Mendoza
D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D000090943:Delta-5 Fatty Acid Desaturase; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D013696:Temperature
D000090943:Delta-5 Fatty Acid Desaturase; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; C022369:phospholipid desaturase; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases