Hepatic knockdown of stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 via RNA interference in obese mice decreases lipid content and changes fatty acid composition.

Stearoyl-CoA desaturases (SCDs) catalyze the biosynthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids from saturated fatty acids. Four scd genes have been identified in mice and three in human (including one pseudogene). Among the four mouse SCD isoforms, SCD1 is predominantly expressed in liver and adipose tissue.

Hepatic knockdown of mitochondrial GPAT1 in ob/ob mice improves metabolic profile.

Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) controls the first step of triglyceride (TAG) synthesis. Three distinct GPAT activities have been identified, two localized in mitochondria and one in microsomes. Mitochondrial GPAT1 (mtGPAT1) is abundantly expressed in the liver and constitutes approximately 50% of total GPAT activities in this organ.