The recently cloned Δ6-desaturase is known to catalyse the first step in very-long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, i.e. the desaturation of linoleic and α-linolenic acids. The hypothesis that this enzyme could also catalyse the terminal desaturation step, i.e. the desaturation of 24-carbon highly unsaturated fatty acids, has never been elucidated. To test this hypothesis, the activity of rat Δ6-desaturase expressed in COS-7 cells was investigated. Recombinant Δ6-desaturase expression was analysed by Western blot, revealing a single band at 45kDa. The putative involvement of this enzyme in the Δ6-desaturation of C24:5n-3 to C24:6n-3 was measured by incubating transfected cells with C22:5n-3. Whereas both transfected and non-transfected COS-7 cells were able to synthesize C24:5n-3 by elongation of C22:5n-3, only cells expressing Δ6-desaturase were also able to produce C24:6n-3. In addition, Δ6-desaturation of [1-14C]C24:5n-3 was assayed invitro in homogenates from COS-7 cells expressing Δ6-desaturase or not, showing that Δ6-desaturase catalyses the conversion of C24:5n-3 to C24:6n-3. Evidence is therefore presented that the same rat Δ6-desaturase catalyses not only the conversion of C18:3n-3 to C18:4n-3, but also the conversion of C24:5n-3 to C24:6n-3. A similar mechanism in the n-6 series is strongly suggested.
Essential fatty acid metabolism and requirements of the cleaner fish, ballan wrasse Labrus bergylta : Defining pathways of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis