A locus (fadL) that is required for the utilization of long-chain fatty acids(LCFA) has been mapped and partially characterized in an Escherichia coli mutant . We have shown that the product of the fadL gene is localized in the outer membrane, forms a specific channel for the uptake of long-chain fatty acids. Derivatives of this mutant that can grow on decanoate(termed fadR) are capable to transport long-chain fatty acids into the cell by fadL and fadR sequence.
Through several assay studying, we conclude that the key component for E-coli to absorb LCFA were FadL and FadR. After absorption, E-coliwill breaks down the fatty acids into acyl-coAs. Acyl-coAs bind to the FadR repressor and free the pfadBA promoter, resulting in the transcription of gene sequences below.