ISSN:
1432-072X
Keywords:
Cyanobacterium
;
Oscillatoria limnetica
;
Anacrobic unsaturated fatty acid synthesis
;
Positional isomers
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract The mechanism for synthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids under aerobic and anaerobic conditions was studied in the facultative anaerobic cyanobacterium, Oscillatoria limnetica. The hexadecenoic acid (C16∶1) of aerobically grown O. limnetica was shown to contain both the Δ7 (79%) and Δ9 (21%) isomers, while the octadecenoic (C18∶1) acid was entirely the Δ9 acid. Incorporation of [2-14C] acetate into the fatty acids under aerobic conditions resulted in synthesis of the Δ7 and Δ9 C16∶1 and the Δ9 C18∶1. Synthesis of unsaturated fatty acids in the presence of DCMU required sulfide. Anaerobic incubations in the presence of DCMU and sulfide (less than 0.003% atmospheric oxygen) resulted in a two-fold increase in monounsaturated fatty acids of both Δ7 and Δ9 C16∶1 and Δ9 and Δ11 C18∶1. The synthesis of these isomers is characteristic of a bacterialtype, anaerobic pathway.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00409653
Permalink
