Genomic and functional characterization of polyunsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis in Caenorhabditis elegans

The biosynthetic pathway for polyunsaturated fatty acids in the model animal Caenorhabditis elegans was examined in the context of the completed genome sequence. The genomic organization and location of seven desaturase genes and one elongase activity, all previously identified by functional characterization, were elucidated. A pathway for the biosynthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids in C. elegans was proposed based on these genes. The role of gene duplication in enzyme evolution and proliferation is discussed.