Kinetics of the utilization of medium and long chain fatty acids by mutant of Escherichia coli defective in the fadL gene.

Experiments were performed to assess the role of the fadL gene in Escherichia coli. These studies have revealed that this organism requires a functional fadL gene in order to (i) transport optimally the fatty acids C10 to C18:1 into the cell, (ii) optimally grow on and oxidize C10 to C18:1 fatty acids, and (iii) incorporate efficiently C12 to C18:1 fatty acids into its membrane phospholipids. A defect in the fadL gene does not prevent E. coli from optimally utilizing fatty acids with chain lengths less than 10 carbon atoms. These results suggest that the fadL gene governs a transport component(s) which is required for the optimal transport of fatty acids with chain lengths greater than 9 carbon atoms.