Fatty acid synthase

• OMIM: 600 212
• UniProt: P49327

Fatty acid synthase ( FAS) is the enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of fatty acids, particularly palmitic acid, of acetyl -CoA and malonyl-CoA in mammals and fungi. This is the main process of lipogenesis and vital to the storage of energy in all organs and body parts. Especially in humans much FAS in the brain, lungs and liver is generated.

The synthetic process consists of seven separate reactions which are carried out six times in succession in the same order. Each of the individual reactions was in the fatty acid synthase molecule its own catalytic center. It is a multifunctional enzyme. The exact location of these catalytic sites is another object of research. In plants and bacteria take over the task of the individual enzymes FAS.

Regulation

FAS is overexpressed in many tumor cell lines, as well as hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infection; FAS inhibition also leads to reduced HCV viral replication. It is believed that health-promoting effects of plant materials such as epigallocatechin-3- gallate (green tea ) or farnesol and ingredients of olive oil based on the inhibition of FAS. The fatty acid synthase is thus interesting target for the pharmaceutical industry.

Expression of FAS is stimulated by SREBP -1c, which in turn is blocked in a lack of oxygen - then is saved by shutting down the complex fatty acid synthesis energy. In the cell membrane localized FAS is associated with caveolin -1.

The catalyzed process

See Article fatty acid synthesis.