Remodeling of Membrane Phospholipids by Bacterial Desaturases

ALTABE, SILVIA (AUTOR CORRESPONDIENTE); MANSILLA, C; DE MENDOZA, D

SCD Genes In Lipid Metabolism

Springer

Año: 2013; p. 209 - 231

Unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) are critical components of membranes in organisms ranging from bacteria to man. Bacteria precisely adjust the amounts of UFAs by introducing double bonds into fatty acids that are produced by the biosynthetic pathway or by desaturation of the acyl chains of preexisting phospholipids. This review summarizes recent studies in both, Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria that offer insights in the biochemical and genetic processes that are responsible for UFAs biosynthesis. A deeper understanding of UFAs biosynthesis in bacteria might lead to future studies of unexpected roles of these fatty acids in membrane physiology and pathogenesis.