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Lipids and Skin Health pp 159–183Cite as

Wax Esters: Chemistry and Biosynthesis

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Abstract

Wax esters are unique surface lipids found on the surface of terrestrial organisms. After a brief review of the composition, the mechanisms used in their biosynthesis by sebaceous glands are summarized. The molecular biology of biosynthesis of methyl-branched, short chain and very long chain acids, and the biochemical mechanism of the loss of the carboxyl carbon of the elongated very long chain acids to generate alkanes are reviewed. The molecular biology of biosynthesis of the major types of molecules contains the hydroxyl group(s) to which the acids are esterified and the molecular biology of the esterification process are reviewed. The molecular bases of seasonal and hormonal regulation of biosynthesis of wax esters that implicate some functions of the wax esters are reviewed.

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Acknowledgments

I thank Dr. Tania Sirakova, Kelly Brussel, Maria Windyga, and Bracken Roberts for assistance in the preparation of the manuscript.

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  1. Burnett School of Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, USA

    Dr. P.E. Kolattukudy

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  1. Dr. P.E. Kolattukudy
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Correspondence to P.E. Kolattukudy .

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  1. Johnson & Johnson, Skillman, New Jersey, USA

    Apostolos Pappas

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Kolattukudy, P. (2015). Wax Esters: Chemistry and Biosynthesis. In: Pappas, A. (eds) Lipids and Skin Health. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-09943-9_11

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