stearyl-CoA, stearyl-coenzyme A

The coenzyme A thioester of stearic acid; precursor to oleic acid and, in the brain, the C₂₂ and C₂₄ fatty acid s present in sphingomyelins; in the brain, use of stearyl-CoA increases during myelination.

- stearyl-CoA desaturase a protein complex that is key in the synthesis of unsaturated fatty acid s; it introduces a double bond at Δ⁹; high dietary levels of unsaturated fatty acid s decrease this enzyme's activity in the liver; a number of agents will induce this enzyme ( E.G., insulin, hydrocortisone, and triiodothyronine).