Chapter 24, Problem 13P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Why the involvement of FAD is important in the conversion of stearic acid to oleic acid should be discussed.

Concept Introduction:

In eukaryotes, addition of double bond to fatty acids does not occur until the fatty acid chain occupied its full length. But the dehydrogenation of stearoyl-CoA occurs in the middle of the chain

  ${\text{Stearoyl-CoA + NADH + H}}^{+}{\text{ + O}}_2\to {\text{ Oleoyl-CoA + 2 H}}_2\text{O}$

Above reaction is catalyzed by stearoyl-CoA deaturase enzyme. This enzyme has a nonheme iron center. NADH and O₂ is required to run this reaction. As well as, two other proteins cytochrome b₅ reductase and cytochrome b₅ are needed.