Fatty Acid Synthase Inhibitors

Fatty Acid Synthase (FAS) is a multi-enzyme protein responsible for the biosynthesis of long-chain fatty acids, primarily palmitate, from acetyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA precursors. This process, known as fatty acid synthesis, is a cytosolic pathway that involves a series of enzymatic reactions, and FAS plays a pivotal role in orchestrating these steps. In many organisms, including humans, FAS operates as a large dimeric protein with each monomer containing all the required enzymatic domains for fatty acid synthesis. The synthesis of fatty acids is a fundamental aspect of cellular metabolism, ensuring the availability of fatty acids for various cellular functions, including membrane structure, energy storage, and signaling molecule synthesis. Fatty Acid Synthase Inhibitors are chemical entities designed to target and impede the function of the FAS enzyme. These inhibitors can act by binding to specific domains within the enzyme, thereby obstructing the enzymatic reactions necessary for fatty acid synthesis. Given the central role of FAS in lipid metabolism, inhibiting its function can have profound effects on cellular lipid composition and overall metabolic equilibrium. The specificity and mechanism of action of these inhibitors can vary, with some targeting the early stages of fatty acid synthesis and others affecting the later stages.