ELOVL7 Protein - Elongation of Very Long Chain Fatty Acids 7
Introduction
Elovl7 Protein is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
ELOVL7 (Elongation of Very Long Chain Fatty Acids 7) is an endoplasmic reticulum membrane enzyme that catalyzes the rate-limiting step of very long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) synthesis[@jakobsson2006]. It is encoded by the [ELOVL7](/proteins/elovl7-protein) gene on chromosome 5p13.3 and plays critical roles in lipid metabolism, membrane biology, and myelin formation.
Normal Function
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ELOVL7 Protein - Elongation of Very Long Chain Fatty Acids 7
Introduction
Elovl7 Protein is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
ELOVL7 (Elongation of Very Long Chain Fatty Acids 7) is an endoplasmic reticulum membrane enzyme that catalyzes the rate-limiting step of very long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) synthesis[@jakobsson2006]. It is encoded by the [ELOVL7](/proteins/elovl7-protein) gene on chromosome 5p13.3 and plays critical roles in lipid metabolism, membrane biology, and myelin formation.
Normal Function
ELOVL7 catalyzes the first step of very long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) elongation, converting C14-C16 fatty acids to C18-C26+ fatty acids through a four-step condensation reaction:
Condensation: Malonyl-CoA adds two carbons to the fatty acid chain
Reduction: NADPH reduces the β-keto group
Dehydration: Removal of water to form a trans-Δ2 double bond
Reduction: Another NADPH reduces the trans-Δ2 enoyl-CoA
Substrate Specificity
ELOVL7 has broad substrate specificity:
Preferred substrates: C14-C16 acyl-CoAs
Can elongate: C12 to C22+ fatty acids
Products: C18 to C26+ VLCFAs
Role in Lipid Metabolism
VLCFAs synthesized by ELOVL7 are essential for:
Phospholipids: Major component of neuronal membranes