Abstract
Stearoyl-CoA Desaurase-1 (SCD1) is an enzyme that catalyzes the biosynthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids from saturated fatty acids in various organ systems. SCD1’s role and proposed properties make it of interest for possible pharmacological intervention to help mitigate various diseases such as cancer, heart disease, liver dysfunction, diabetes, etc. Prior research on SCD1’s uses as a therapeutic agent has presented the potential for the development of compounds to act as either an agonist or antagonist. However, there is a discrepancy in the literature regarding SCD1 and its proposed uses, whether by inhibiting the enzyme or promoting its activity. A wide array of work has looked at different organ systems, inhibitors, disease state of interest, and methods of the study that included either mouse or human models. A notable trend was the incidence of a common adverse effect profile affecting the skin, the heart, adipose tissue, the liver, and the immune system. It may be possible to infer that the enzyme’s extensively documented adverse event profiles, along with the integration of SCD in various metabolic circles, and potential use of an inhibiting therapeutic agent, holds potential for future development. This suggested that whole body depletion or increase in SCD1 may cause unforeseen side effects. Further research on specific agonists and antagonists suggests that future pharmacological interventions should be organ or organ system specific to avoid unwanted side effects.