Biosynthesis of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Occurs Mainly in Eukaryotes

Biosynthesis of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Occurs Mainly in Eukaryotes 

Enzyme complexes occur in the endoplasmic reticulum of animal cells that desaturate at A5 if there is a double bond at the A8 position, or at A6 if there is a double bond at the A9 position. These enzymes are different from each other and from the A9-desaturase discussed in the previous section, but the A5 and A6 desaturases do appear to utilize the same cytochrome b5 reductase and cytochrome b5 mentioned previously. Also present in the endoplasmic reticulum are enzymes that elongate saturated and unsaturated fatty acids by two carbons. As in the biosynthesis of palmitic acid, the fatty acid elongation system uses malonyl-CoA as a donor of the two-carbon unit. A combination of the desaturation and elongation enzymes allows for the biosynthesis of arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in the mammalian liver. As an example, the pathway by which linoleic acid is converted to arachidonic acid is shown in figure 18.17. Interestingly, cats are unable to synthesize arachidonic acid from linoleic acid. This may be why cats are carnivores and depend on other animals to make arachidonic acid for them. Also note that the elongation system in the endoplasmic reticulum is important for the conversion of palmitoyl-CoA to stearoyl-CoA. 

Synthesis in mammalian tissues of arachidonic acid from linoleic acid. The A5 and A6 desaturases are separate enzymes and are also different from the A9 desaturase (fig. 18.16). The mechanisms, however, seem to be the same, involving cytochrome b5 and cytochrome reductase. The enzymes for elongation of unsaturated fatty acid such as 18 3 to 20 3 occur on the endoplasmic reticulum. 

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