Abstract
Fatty acids serve not only as an energy source, but they significantly influence metabolism of human cells and tissues. Fatty acids in organism come both from the diet and from endogenous synthesis de novo.
At first, saturated fatty acids are endogenously synthetized up to palmitic acid. By sequential elongation and desaturation the long-chain or very long-chain saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids are created.
Elongation of fatty acids is catalyzed by elongases enzymes (elongation of very long-chain fatty acids), coded in chromosome 6. In mammals, seven elongases are known, acting on specific spectrum of substrates.
The article deals with the influence of individual elongases on the metabolic fate of fatty acids and on the ensuing pathophysiological consequences, which have been recognized up to now. The significance of some genetic variants of elongases for the development of diseased states and the influence of hypolipidemic drugs on the activities of elongases are mentioned, as well.