ELOVL1: Proteins and Enzymes

Elongation of very long chain fatty acid-like (ELOVL) proteins 1-6 are members of the ELO family of proteins, which play an important role in tissue-specific biosynthesis of very long chain fatty acids and sphingolipids. The ELOVL proteins act as catalysts in fatty acid elongation reduction and localize to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Elongation of very long chain fatty acids protein 1 (ELOVL1), also referred to as Ssc1, is the human homolog of the yeast ELO3 protein. It is expressed in a variety of tissues and at especially high levels in stomach, skin, intestine, kidney and lung. ELOVL1 participates in the elongation of very long chain saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids of up to 26 carbons and may be required for the development of a barrier in epithelial cells and skin. ELOVL1 is also important for the formation of Myelin in the central nervous system. Impaired ELOVL1 activity may be associated with disorders of sphingolipid metabolism.