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Fatty acid ethyl ester synthesis by human liver microsomes
T Treloar1, L J Madden, J S Winter
1Department of Biochemistry, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, Australia.
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|January 19, 1996
Summary
Fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) are ethanol metabolites found in tissues after alcohol consumption. This study identifies acyl-CoA:ethanol acyltransferase activity in human liver, potentially responsible for FAEE synthesis in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Metabolism
- Toxicology
Background:
- Fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) are non-oxidative ethanol metabolites found in various tissues following alcohol consumption.
- The specific enzymatic pathways responsible for in vivo FAEE synthesis remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and characteristics of acyl-CoA:ethanol acyltransferase activity in human liver.
- To determine the potential role of this enzyme in the in vivo synthesis of FAEEs.
Main Methods:
- Assessed acyl-CoA:ethanol acyltransferase activity in human liver fractions.
- Investigated the effects of substrate concentrations, pH, protein concentration, and inhibitors.
- Compared activity with fatty acid ethyl ester synthase.
Main Results:
- Identified acyl-CoA:ethanol acyltransferase activity localized in the membrane-bound fraction of human liver.
- Determined optimal conditions for this enzymatic activity.
- Demonstrated that the activity is distinct from serine-dependent carboxylesterases and acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase, but may be associated with acyl-CoA hydrolase.
- Found comparable in vitro activity between acyl-CoA:ethanol acyltransferase and fatty acid ethyl ester synthase.
Conclusions:
- Acyl-CoA:ethanol acyltransferase activity in human liver is a significant contributor to fatty acid ethyl ester synthesis.
- Both acyl-CoA:ethanol acyltransferase and fatty acid ethyl ester synthase activities are likely important in vivo for FAEE production.