Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) is a regulatory enzyme involved in the synthesis of oleate and palmitoleate. Oleate and palmitoleate are the main components of membrane phospholipid, triglycerides and cholesterol esters. SCD plays an important role in cellular cholesterol homeostasis and also in the secretion processes of triacylglycerol and phospholipid. Inhibition of SCD could be a useful treatment for metabollic disorders such as obesity and hepatic steatosis.