Identification | |
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Name | Alpha-Linolenic Acid |
Accession Number | DB00132 (NUTR00034) |
Type | small molecule |
Description | Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is a polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid. It is a component of many common vegetable oils and is important to human nutrition. [Wikipedia] |
Structure |
|
Categories (*) | |
Molecular Weight | 278.4296 |
Groups | approved |
Monoisotopic Weight | 278.224580204 |
Pharmacology | |
Indication | For nutritional supplementation and for treating dietary shortage or imbalance. |
Mechanism of action | Alpha Linolenic Acid or ALA is considered an essential fatty acid because it is required for human health, but cannot be synthesized by humans. It is in fact a plant-derived fatty acid. Humans can synthesize other omega-3 fatty acids from ALA, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). EPA is a precursor of the series-3 prostaglandins, the series-5 leukotrienes and the series-3 thromboxanes. These eicosanoids have anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic properties. ALA metabolites may also inhibit the production of the pro-inflammatory eicosanoids, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4), as well as the pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta). Omega-3 fatty acids like ALA and its byproducts can modulate the expression of a number of genes, including those involved with fatty acid metabolism and inflammation. They regulate gene expression through their effects on the activity of transcription factors including NF-kappa B and members of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) family. Incorporation of ALA and its metabolites in cell membranes can affect membrane fluidity and may play a role in anti-inflammatory activity, inhibition of platelet aggregation and possibly in anti-proliferative actions of ALA. ALA is first metabolized by delta6 desaturease into steridonic acid. |
Absorption | Not Available |
Protein binding | Not Available |
Biotransformation | Not Available |
Route of elimination | Not Available |
Toxicity | Not Available |
Affected organisms |
|
Interactions | |
Drug Interactions | Not Available |
Food Interactions | Not Available |
BC269730_2 | |
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Name | BC269730_2 |
Gene Name | FADS1 |
Pharmacological action | yes |
Actions | ligand |
References |
|
DTHybrid score | 1.058 |
Delta-6 fatty acid desaturase | |
Name | Delta-6 fatty acid desaturase |
Gene Name | FADS2 |
Pharmacological action | yes |
Actions | ligand |
References |
|
DTHybrid score | 1.0588 |
Sodium/calcium exchanger 1 | |
Name | Sodium/calcium exchanger 1 |
Gene Name | SLC8A1 |
Pharmacological action | unknown |
Actions | Not Available |
References |
|
DTHybrid score | 1.0507 |
Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 | |
Name | Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 |
Gene Name | TRPV1 |
Pharmacological action | unknown |
Actions | Not Available |
References | |
DTHybrid score | 0.9942 |
Elongation of very long chain fatty acids protein 4 | |
Name | Elongation of very long chain fatty acids protein 4 |
Gene Name | ELOVL4 |
Pharmacological action | unknown |
Actions | Not Available |
References | |
DTHybrid score | 1.0543 |
Id | Partner name | Gene Name | Score |
---|---|---|---|
759 | Free fatty acid receptor 1 | FFAR1 | 0.2372 |
1818 | Long-chain-fatty-acid--CoA ligase 3 | ACSL3 | 0.2371 |
1457 | Long-chain-fatty-acid--CoA ligase 4 | ACSL4 | 0.1546 |
290 | Prostaglandin G/H synthase 2 | PTGS2 | 0.1217 |
1502 | Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta | PPARD | 0.1192 |
20 | Prostaglandin G/H synthase 1 | PTGS1 | 0.1131 |
438 | Taste receptor type 1 member 2 | TAS1R2 | 0.1066 |
238 | Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma | PPARG | 0.0896 |
1024 | Solute carrier family 22 member 11 | SLC22A11 | 0.0434 |
2853 | 14 kDa fatty acid-binding protein | Not Available | 0.0391 |
6142 | Solute carrier family 22 member 8 | SLC22A8 | 0.0373 |
2211 | Fatty acid-binding protein, heart | FABP3 | 0.0358 |
1729 | Solute carrier family 22 member 6 | SLC22A6 | 0.0344 |
6677 | Myelin P2 protein | PMP2 | 0.0332 |
6501 | Fatty acid-binding protein, liver | FABP1 | 0.0316 |
3382 | Glycolipid transfer protein | GLTP | 0.0293 |
1992 | Vitamin D-binding protein | GC | 0.0289 |
2183 | Fatty acid-binding protein, adipocyte | FABP4 | 0.0254 |
587 | Serum albumin | ALB | 0.0128 |