Role of stearoyl-CoA desaturase in human metabolic disease

Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) is a highly conserved Δ-9 desaturase that converts saturated fatty acids into monounsaturated fatty acids. Mice lacking the Scd1 gene are characterized by decreased adiposity and increased lipid oxidation and insulin sensitivity in liver and skeletal muscle. Two isoforms of SCD have also been identified in humans, and there appears to be an association between SCD expression and adiposity. This review will provide a brief update of recent progress in understanding the role of SCD in mediating the progression of disease in human populations, with a special emphasis on metabolic disease.