Fatty Acid Desaturase 2 (FADS2) Human Recombinant Protein

The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the fatty acid desaturase (FADS) gene family. Desaturase enzymes regulate unsaturation of fatty acids through the introduction of double bonds between defined carbons of the fatty acyl chain. FADS family members are considered fusion products composed of an N-terminal cytochrome b5-like domain and a C-terminal multiple membrane-spanning desaturase portion, both of which are characterized by conserved histidine motifs. This gene is clustered with family members at 11q12-q13.1; this cluster is thought to have arisen evolutionarily from gene duplication based on its similar exon/intron organization. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2013]

FADS2: Component of a lipid metabolic pathway that catalyzes biosynthesis of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) from precursor essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) linoleic acid (LA) (18:2n-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) (18:3n-3). Catalyzes the first and rate limiting step in this pathway which is the desaturation of LA (18:2n-6) and ALA (18:3n-3) into gamma- linoleic acid (GLA) (18:3n-6) and stearidonic acid (18:4n-3) respectively and other desaturation steps. Highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) play pivotal roles in many biological functions. It catalizes as well the introduction of a cis double bond in palmitate to produce the mono-unsaturated fatty acid sapienate, the most abundant fatty acid in sebum. Belongs to the fatty acid desaturase family. 3 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative splicing.

Protein type: Membrane protein, integral; Membrane protein, multi-pass; EC 1.14.19.-; Lipid Metabolism - alpha-linolenic acid; Oxidoreductase; Lipid Metabolism - unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 11q12.2

Cellular Component: endoplasmic reticulum membrane; integral to plasma membrane; membrane

Molecular Function: linoleoyl-CoA desaturase activity; stearoyl-CoA 9-desaturase activity

Biological Process: linoleic acid metabolic process; unsaturated fatty acid biosynthetic process; unsaturated fatty acid metabolic process