Abstract

In both plants and animals, unsaturated fatty acids are considered to be essential membrane components. Also they play key roles in many cellular events. The synthesis and metabolism of unsaturated fatty acid are very complex processes, involving a variety of enzymes and regulated pathways. Most recently, research has focused on identifying genes modulating unsaturated fatty acids and studying the metabolism and synthesis at both transcriptional and post-translational levels. The key enzymes and regulated pathways involved in either the metabolism or the synthesis of fatty acid have been identified.

Key words: Unsaturated fatty, oleic acid, synthesis, gene regulation.

Abbreviation

Abbreviations: S-ACP-DES, Stearoyl-ACP-desaturase; FA, fatty acid; PUFA, polyunsaturated fatty acids; 18:0, stearic acid; MUFA: monounsaturated fatty acids; 18:1, oleic acid.