Fatty-acyl-CoA synthase
Fatty acids are key components of a cell, therefore, the regulation or inhibition of fatty acid synthesis hold severe consequences for cellular function. The malfunction of the fatty acid synthesis pathway can result in cancer and obesity. However, the significance of fatty acid synthesis also make the fatty acid synthesis pathway a potential target for the search and study of anticancer and antibiotic drugs. It has been found that in humans, fatty acid synthase, is overly expressed in cancer cells. Therefore, FAS, which has been associated only with energy production prior, is now associated with aggressive tumor growth and survival. Studies have also found that human fatty acid synthase is overly expressed in prostate cancer cells.
Sapienic acid
Sapienic acid (16:1, n-10, cis-6 hexadecenoic, or sapienate) is a fatty acid that is a major component of human sebum. Sapienic acid is a sebum fatty acid that is unique to humans (from whose scientific name it takes the root "sapiens"). The equivalent fatty acid in mouse sebum is palmitoleic acid. Sapienic acid has been implicated in the development of acne, and it may have potent antibacterial activity.