Record Information
Version1.0
StatusDetected and Quantified
Creation Date2020-10-27 23:39:10 UTC
Update Date2022-08-31 00:00:12 UTC
Metabolite IDMMDBc0000190
Metabolite Identification
Common Namealpha-Linolenic acid
Descriptionalpha-Linolenic acid (ALA) is a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). It is a member of the group of essential fatty acids called omega-3 fatty acids. alpha-Linolenic acid, in particular, is not synthesized by mammals and therefore is an essential dietary requirement for all mammals. Certain nuts (English walnuts) and vegetable oils (canola, soybean, flaxseed/linseed, olive) are particularly rich in alpha-linolenic acid. Omega-3 fatty acids get their name based on the location of one of their first double bond. In all omega-3 fatty acids, the first double bond is located between the third and fourth carbon atom counting from the methyl end of the fatty acid (n-3). Although humans and other mammals can synthesize saturated and some monounsaturated fatty acids from carbon groups in carbohydrates and proteins, they lack the enzymes necessary to insert a cis double bond at the n-6 or the n-3 position of a fatty acid. Omega-3 fatty acids like alpha-linolenic acid are important structural components of cell membranes. When incorporated into phospholipids, they affect cell membrane properties such as fluidity, flexibility, permeability, and the activity of membrane-bound enzymes. Omega-3 fatty acids can modulate the expression of a number of genes, including those involved with fatty acid metabolism and inflammation. alpha-Linolenic acid and other omega-3 fatty acids may regulate gene expression by interacting with specific transcription factors, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and liver X receptors (LXRs). alpha-Linolenic acid is found to be associated with isovaleric acidemia, which is an inborn error of metabolism.
Structure
Synonyms
ValueSource
(9,12,15)-Linolenic acidChEBI
(9Z,12Z,15Z)-Octadecatrienoic acidChEBI
(Z,Z,Z)-9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acidChEBI
9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acidChEBI
9-cis,12-cis,15-cis-Octadecatrienoic acidChEBI
ALAChEBI
all-cis-9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acidChEBI
cis,cis,cis-9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acidChEBI
cis-Delta(9,12,15)-Octadecatrienoic acidChEBI
Linolenic acidChEBI
LinolenateKegg
alpha-LinolenateKegg
(9,12,15)-LinolenateGenerator
(9Z,12Z,15Z)-OctadecatrienoateGenerator
(Z,Z,Z)-9,12,15-OctadecatrienoateGenerator
9,12,15-OctadecatrienoateGenerator
9-cis,12-cis,15-cis-OctadecatrienoateGenerator
all-cis-9,12,15-OctadecatrienoateGenerator
cis,cis,cis-9,12,15-OctadecatrienoateGenerator
cis-delta(9,12,15)-OctadecatrienoateGenerator
cis-Δ(9,12,15)-octadecatrienoateGenerator
cis-Δ(9,12,15)-octadecatrienoic acidGenerator
a-LinolenateGenerator
a-Linolenic acidGenerator
Α-linolenateGenerator
Α-linolenic acidGenerator
alpha Linolenic acidHMDB
cis-9,12,15-OctadecatrienoateHMDB
cis-9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acidHMDB
Industrene 120HMDB
FA(18:3(9Z,12Z,15Z))HMDB
FA(18:3n3)HMDB
Molecular FormulaC18H30O2
Average Mass278.4296
Monoisotopic Mass278.224580204
IUPAC Name(9Z,12Z,15Z)-octadeca-9,12,15-trienoic acid
Traditional Nameα linolenic acid
CAS Registry Number463-40-1
SMILES
CC\C=C/C\C=C/C\C=C/CCCCCCCC(O)=O
InChI Identifier
InChI=1S/C18H30O2/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18(19)20/h3-4,6-7,9-10H,2,5,8,11-17H2,1H3,(H,19,20)/b4-3-,7-6-,10-9-
InChI KeyDTOSIQBPPRVQHS-PDBXOOCHSA-N