Acyltransferases, occurrence

S.2 Fatty acyl-CoA transferases. The enzyme systems involved with fatty acyl-CoA utilization in the cytosol appear to be membrane-bound. Consequently, detailed knowledge of their individual structure, specificity and genetic control is generally lacking due to the particular inability to obtain ready isolation and purification of the relevant proteins. Studies, however, support the concept of the operation of the eukaryotic pathway for the production of glycerolipids and polyunsaturated fatty acid (Browse et al., 1990 Stymne et al., 1990). While this pathway may contribute a significant quantity of fatty acid for use in membrane synthesis in the plastid (chloroplast) (Browse et al., 1990), its major importance would seem to lie with the production of unsaturated oils (Frentzen, 1986). On the other hand the occurrence of the prokaryotic pathway in the plastid permits more direct membrane lipid formation in both 16 3 and 18 3 plants (Browse et al., 1990 Somerville and Browse, 1991). Different sets of acyltransferase may be associated with the two pathways (Hills and Murphy, 1991). 

---