Metabolic and regulatory function of fatty acid synthase].

Katedra i Zakład Biochemii, Gdański Uniwersytet Medyczny, Gdańsk. juls@gumed.edu.pl

Postepy biochemii 2012

Fatty acid synthase (FAS)--enzyme present in many tissues, catalyses synthesis of palmitate from malonyl-CoA, acetyl-CoA and NADPH. The highest activity of FAS was found in lipogenic tissues (liver, adipose tissue) and in mammary gland during lactation. Palmitate serves as a substrate for synthesis of saturated and unsaturated long chain fatty acids. In turn, fatty acids (including palmitate) are substrates for the synthesis of triacylglycerols (mainly in liver and adipose tissue), membrane lipids and lipids which play a regulatory role. In this review we discuss the structure, regulation and role of FAS in lipogenic tissues. Moreover, this review presents the recently postulated role of FAS in: a) synthesis of natural ligands of PPARalpha; b) feeding behavior; c) endothelial NO production; d) protection of cardiomiocytes from pathological calcium influx; and e) diet induced atherosclerosis. Finally, the role of FAS in the growth of malignant cells is discussed.