title: ω3 fatty acid desaturases from microorganisms: structure, function, evolution, and biotechnological use.
abstract: The biosynthesis of very-long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids involves an alternating process of fatty acid desaturation and elongation catalyzed by complex series of enzymes. ω3 desaturase plays an important role in converting ω6 fatty acids into ω3 fatty acids. Genes for this desaturase have been identified and characterized in a wide range of microorganisms, including cyanobacteria, yeasts, molds, and microalgae. Like all fatty acid desaturases, ω3 desaturase is structurally characterized by the presence of three highly conserved histidine-rich motifs; however, unlike some desaturases, it lacks a cytochrome b5-like domain. Understanding the structure, function, and evolution of ω3 desaturases, particularly their substrate specificities in the biosynthesis of very-long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, lays the foundation for potential production of various ω3 fatty acids in transgenic microorganisms.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Mingxuan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Haiqin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Zhennan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yong Q
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D020816:Amino Acid Motifs; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000201:enzymology; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005658:Fungi / Q000201:enzymology; D058086:Microalgae / Q000201:enzymology; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary
chemical_list: D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases; C078565:omega-3 fatty acid desaturase