Stearoyl-CoA desaturase, a short-lived protein of endoplasmic reticulum with multiple control mechanisms

• Published in: Prostaglandins, leukotrienes and essential fatty acids Vol. 68; no. 2; pp. 123 - 133
• Main Authors: Heinemann, F.Scott, Ozols, Juris
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Scotland Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2003
• Subjects: Animals; CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins - metabolism; DNA, Complementary - metabolism; DNA-Binding Proteins - metabolism; Endoplasmic Reticulum - metabolism; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated - metabolism; Humans; Liver - metabolism; Mice; Microsomes, Liver - metabolism; Models, Biological; Protein Isoforms; Saccharomyces cerevisiae - metabolism; Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase - isolation & purification; Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase - metabolism; Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase - physiology; Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1; Tissue Distribution; Transcription Factors; Triglycerides - metabolism
• ISSN: 0952-3278; 1532-2823
• DOI: 10.1016/S0952-3278(02)00262-4

Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) is a short-lived, polytopic membrane-bound non-heme iron enzyme localized primarily in the endoplasmic reticulum. SCD is required for the biosynthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids, and plays a key role in hepatic synthesis of triglycerides and very-low-density lipoproteins. The intracellular concentration of SCD fluctuates in a wide range in response to complex and often competing hormonal and dietary factors. A combination of transcriptional regulation and rapid protein degradation produces transient elevations of SCD enzyme activity in response to physiologic demands. Dysregulation of SCD has been implicated in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hyperlipidemia, and obesity.