Multimethyl- and mid-chain–branched fatty acids (FAs) have been identified in various metazoans, including the preen gland of birds, human vernix, sebum, and adipocytes. Evidence suggests that these branched chains are generated by fatty acid synthase (FAS). In our recent work, we provide enzymatic detail of how FAS produces branched FAs. Moreover, we uncover that specific coding within the enzymatic domain, responsible for forming the carbon–carbon bond, accounts for the diverse branching patterns observed.
Congratulation Chris, Kim, Ziheng and Damian 🎉