Matching the β-oxidation gene repertoire with the wide diversity of fatty acids

Curr Opin Microbiol. 2023 Nov 21;77:102402. doi: 10.1016/j.mib.2023.102402. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTBacteria can use fatty acids (FAs) from their environment as carbon and energy source. This catabolism is performed by the enzymes of the well-known β-oxidation machinery, producing reducing power and releasing acetyl-CoA that can feed the tricarboxylic acid cycle. FAs are extremely diverse: they can be saturated or (poly)unsaturated and are found in different sizes. The need to degrade such a wide variety of compounds may explain why so many seemingly homologous enzymes are found for each step of the β-oxidation cycle. In addition, the degradation of unsaturated fatty acids requires specific auxiliary enzymes for isomerase and reductase reactions. Furthermore, the β-oxidation cycle can be blocked by dead-end products, which are taken care of by acyl-CoA thioesterases. Yet, the functional characterization of the enzymes required for the degradation of the full diversity of FAs remains to be documented in most bacteria.PMID:37992547 | DOI:10.1016/j.mib.2023.102402
Source: Current Opinion in Microbiology - Category: Microbiology Authors: Source Type: research