Fatty acid desaturase activity in mature red blood cells and implications for blood storage quality

Increases in the red blood cell (RBC) degree of fatty acid desaturation are reported in response to exercise, aging, or diseases associated with systemic oxidant stress. However, no studies have focused on the presence and activity of fatty acid desaturases (FADS) in the mature RBC.Steady state metabolomics and isotope-labeled tracing experiments, immunofluorescence approaches, and pharmacological interventions were used to determine the degree...