Incorporation of 1-(14)C-Acetate into C26 fatty acids of the marine spongeMicrociona prolifera.

The incorporation of 1-(14)C-acetate into the many fatty acids of the marine spongeMicrociona prolifera was investigated. Probable precursors of 26∶2Δ5,9 and 26∶3Δ5,9,19 showed high levels of radioactivity, supporting the following pathways for the biosynthesis of C26 acids:[Formula: see text] Degradation of the unsaturated C26 acids at their double bonds showed that the(14)C was concentrated near the carboxyl end of the chain. Hence, chain elongation was the major mechanism for acetate incorporation into these acids.