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Genomic and functional characterization of polyunsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis in Caenorhabditis elegans
Author(s) -
Napier Johnathan A.,
Michaelson Louise V.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
lipids
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.601
H-Index - 120
eISSN - 1558-9307
pISSN - 0024-4201
DOI - 10.1007/s11745-001-0782-9
Subject(s) - caenorhabditis elegans , polyunsaturated fatty acid , biology , gene , biosynthesis , genome , context (archaeology) , biochemistry , genetics , fatty acid , paleontology
The biosynthetic pathway for polyunsaturated fatty acids in the model animal Caenorhabditis elegans was examined in the context of the completed genome sequence. The genomic organization and location of seven desaturase genes and one elongase activity, all previously identified by functional characterization, were elucidated. A pathway for the biosynthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids in C. elegans was proposed based on these genes. The role of gene duplication in enzyme evolution and proliferation is discussed.