The biological significance of ω-oxidation of fatty acids

The author focuses on the biological significance of omega-oxidation of fatty acids. Early studies revealed that there is a subsidiary pathway for beta-oxidation of fatty acids when oxidation is blocked. Many studies demonstrated that the omega-oxidation serves to provide succinylCoA for the citric acid cycle and for gluconeogenesis under conditions of starvation and diabetes. Acylglucosylceramides which are composed of linoleic acid, long chain omega-hydroxy fatty acids, eicosasphingenine (or trihydroxyeicosasphingenine) and glucose, are responsible for normal epidermal permeability function in the skin. It is observed that omega- and (omega-1)-oxidation of fatty acids are related to energy metabolism in some laboratory animals such as musk shrews and Mongolian gerbils. Studies confirmed that omega- and (omega-1)-oxidation of fatty acids play crucial roles in the production of insect pheromones of honeybees and in the formation of biopolyesters of higher plants. In addition, the biological significance of omega-oxidation of prostaglandins and leukotrienes is described.