Fatty acid desaturases (also called unsaturases) are a family of enzymes that convert saturated fatty acids into unsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. For the common fatty acids of the C18 variety, desaturases convert stearic acid into oleic acid. Other desaturases convert oleic acid into linoleic acid, which is the precursor to alpha-linolenic acid, gamma-linolenic acid, and eicosatrienoic acid. Two subgroups of desaturases are recognized: For example, Δ6 desaturation introduces a double bond between carbons 6 and 7 of linoleic acid (LA C18H32O2; 18:2-n6) and α-linolenic acid (ALA: C18H30O2; 18:3-n3), creating γ-linolenic acid (GLA: C18H30O2,18:3-n6) and stearidonic acid (SDA: C18H28O2; 18:4-n3) respectively. In the biosynthesis of essential fatty acids, an elongase alternates with various desaturases (for example, Δ6-desaturase) repeatedly inserts an ethyl group, then forms a double bond.

Mechanism and function

Desaturases have diiron active sites reminiscent of methane monooxygenase. These enzymes are O2-dependent, consistent with their function as either hydroxylation or oxidative dehydrogenation. Desaturases produce unsaturated fatty acids. Unsaturated fatty acids help maintain structure and function of membranes. Highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) are incorporated into phospholipids and participate in cell signaling. Unsaturated fatty acids and their derived fats increase the fluidity of membranes.

Role in human metabolism

Fatty acid desaturase appear in all organisms: for example, bacteria, fungus, plants, animals and humans. Four desaturases occur in humans: Δ9-desaturase, Δ6-desaturase, Δ5-desaturase, and Δ4-desaturase. Δ9-desaturase, also known as stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1, is used to synthesize oleic acid, a monounsaturated, ubiquitous component of all cells in the human body, and the major fatty acid in mammalian adipose triglycerides, and also used for phospholipid and cholesteryl ester synthesis. Δ9-desaturase produces oleic acid (C18H34O2; 18:1-n9) by desaturating stearic acid (SA: C18H36O2; 18:0), a saturated fatty acid either synthesized in the body from palmitic acid (PA: C16H32O2; 16:0) or ingested directly. Δ6 and Δ5 desaturases are required for the synthesis of highly unsaturated fatty acids such as eicosopentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (synthesized from α-linolenic acid); arachidonic acid and adrenic acid (synthesized from linoleic acid). This is a multi-stage process requiring successive actions by elongase and desaturase enzymes. The genes coding for Δ6 and Δ5 desaturase production have been located on human chromosome 11. Synthesis of LC-PUFAs in humans and many other eukaryotes starts with:

• Linoleic acid (LA: C18H32O2; 18:2-n6) → Δ6-desaturation → γ-linolenic acid (GLA: C18H30O2; 18:3-n6) → Δ6-specific elongase (introducing two carbons) → dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid DGLA: C20H34O2; 20:3-n6) → Δ5-desaturase → arachidonic acid (AA: C20H32O2; 20:4-n6) → also endocannabinoids.
• α-Linolenic acid (ALA: C18H30O2; 18:3-n3) → Δ6-desaturation → stearidonic acid (SDA: C18H28O2; 18:4-n3) and/or → Δ6-specific elongase → eicosatetraenoic acid (ETA: C20H32O2; 20:4-n3) → Δ5-desaturase → eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA: C20H30O2; 20:5-n3). By a Δ17-desaturase, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA: C18H30O2; 18:3-n6) can be further converted to stearidonic acid (SDA: C18H28O2; 18:4-n3), dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DHGLA/DGLA: C20H34O2; 20:3-n6) to eicosatetraenoic acid (ETA: C20H32O2; 20:4-n3; omega-3 arachidonic acid) and arachidonic acid (AA: C20H32O2; 20:4-n6) to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA: C20H30O2; 20:5-n3), respectively.
• Anandamide (AEA: C22H37NO2; 20:4,n-6) is an N-acylethanolamine resulting from the formal condensation of the carboxyl group of arachidonic acid (AA: C20H32O2; 20:4-n6) with the amino group of ethanolamine (C2H7NO), bind preferably to CB1 receptors.
• 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG: C23H38O4; 20:4-n6) is an endogenous agonist of the cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), and the physiological ligand for the cannabinoid CB2 receptor. It is an ester formed from omega-6-arachidonic acid (AA: C20H32O2; 20:4-n6) and glycerol (C3H8O3). Vertebrates are unable to synthesize polyunsaturated fatty acids because they do not have the necessary fatty acid desaturases to "convert oleic acid (18:1n-9) into linoleic acid (18:2n-6) and α-linolenic acid (18:3n-3)". Linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA) are essential for human health and development, and should therefore be consumed by diets, like 15 ml of hemp seed oil, or/and 33 gram of hemp seed protein a day, can provide all the protein, essential fatty acids, and dietary fiber necessary for human survival for one day, as their absence has been found responsible for the development of a wide range of diseases such as metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disorders, inflammatory processes, viral infections, certain types of cancer and autoimmune disorders. Human fatty acid desaturases include: DEGS1; DEGS2; FADS1; FADS2; FADS3; FADS6; SCD4; SCD5

Classification

Δ-desaturases are represented by two distinct families which do not seem to be evolutionarily related. Family 1 includes Stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD). Family 2 is composed of:

Acyl-CoA dehydrogenases

Acyl-CoA dehydrogenases are enzymes that catalyze formation of a double bond between C2 (α) and C3 (β) of the acyl-CoA thioester substrates. Flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) is a required co-factor.