ELOVL5
Description
The ELOVL5 (ELOVL fatty acid elongase 5) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 6.
ELOVL5 is a protein encoded by the ELOVL5 gene in humans. It is responsible for elongating very long chain fatty acids.
ELOVL5 catalyzes the first and rate-limiting step in the elongation of long- and very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs). This process occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum and involves the addition of two carbons to the fatty acid chain per cycle. ELOVL5 preferentially acts on polyunsaturated acyl-CoA, particularly C18:3(n-6) acyl-CoA. It plays a role in producing monounsaturated and polyunsaturated VLCFAs of varying lengths, which are crucial components of membrane lipids and lipid mediators. In the absence of essential linoleic and alpha-linoleic fatty acids, ELOVL5 contributes to the synthesis of Mead acid from oleic acid.
ELOVL5 is also known as HELO1, SCA38, dJ483K16.1.
