Desaturase enzymes generate alkene and alkyne groups in the alkyl chains of various lipid molecules. These non-heme iron- and oxygen-dependent enzymes differ from related hydroxylase and epoxidase enzymes in that oxygen atoms are not introduced into the products.

A triple-bond forming enzyme closely related to the membrane-bound class of double-bond forming desaturases has been cloned from a plant [M. Lee, et al. Science (1998) 280:915]. Alkynes appear in a surprisingly large number of natural products, and we would like to know how they get installed.

Triple-bond generating enzymes represent a new kind of biochemical reactivity. Current work centers on functional expression studies of a triple bond forming enzyme in a plant. Experiments designed to delineate the catalytic properties of these non-heme iron dependent enzymes and explore the mechanism of alkene/alkane desaturation are planned.

Desaturases require the delivery of two electrons at some point during their catalytic cycle. Electron transfer is not well understood in desaturases, which generally lack specific redox partner subunits.

Current Funding

Washington U./Monsanto Plant Science Agreement, 01/01/02 – present