X-ray structure of a mammalian stearoyl-CoA desaturase.

The crystal structure of mouse SCD1 bound to fatty acid stearoyl-CoA is solved at 2.6 A resolution; the structure reveals a novel geometry for the dimetal centre, and the acyl chain of the bound fatty acid is shown to be shielded and shaped to a particular conformation by the enzyme, providing a structural basis for the selectivity of fatty acid metabolism.