title: Stearoyl-CoA desaturase: a vital checkpoint in the development and progression of obesity.
abstract: Stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD-1) is the rate-limiting enzyme that catalyses the conversion of saturated to monounsaturated fatty acids. Increased SCD-1 expression and activity has been implicated in cancer, cardiovascular diseases, insulin resistance and obesity. Studies with humans, wild-type rodents, knock-out mice and cells in culture show that SCD-1 inhibition decreases lipogenesis and increases GLUT4-mediated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle. In this review, we will evaluate the role of SCD-1 as a homeostatic check-point between glucose and fatty acid metabolism in the development and progression of obesity. In addition to the role of SCD-1 in glucose and fatty acid metabolism, we will also discuss the expression and regulation of SCD-1, its specific interactions with inflammatory responses and PPARs, the role of SCD-1 derived MUFAs in obesity and the relevance of SCD desaturation index as a predictor of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Additionally, we will explore the prospects of SCD-1 as a potential drug target for the management of obesity and related disorders.
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Hemant
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Poudyal
authors.forename: Lindsay
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018450:Disease Progression; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013230:Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D013230:Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase; D005947:Glucose