Fatty acid desaturase 6 (FADS6)

There is no validated, canonical gene or protein known as "fatty acid desaturase 6" (FADS6) in mammals or in standard human or model organism gene nomenclature. Established fatty acid desaturases in mammals and humans are FADS1, FADS2, and FADS3, with clear functional and disease-related roles. The term "FADS6" appears to be used in recent literature for delta-6 desaturase enzymes in microbial and non-mammalian species or appears in theoretical and computational studies of desaturases in organisms such as fish, microalgae, or fungi, but not as a distinct mammalian gene or therapeutic target[1][2][3][4]. The various references to FADS6 typically describe it as a membrane-bound enzyme introducing double bonds in fatty acids during polyunsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, but established nomenclature for mammalian or human genes does not include "FADS6". This designation is likely an alias for delta-6 desaturase activity in non-vertebrate or model systems rather than a standardized target in biomedical research. Key Notes: - The entry "FADS6" is incorrect as a canonical mammalian target. FADS1 (delta-5-desaturase), FADS2 (delta-6-desaturase), and FADS3 are the only recognized fatty acid desaturase genes in humans. - Experimental and modeling results referenced for FADS6 pertain predominantly to non-mammalian species (e.g., Micromonas pusilla, Mortierella alpina, fish, non-human vertebrates, algae). - There are no known drugs or clinical mechanisms of action for "FADS6" in humans; nor is it recognized as a human biomarker or therapeutic target. - The entry likely results from confusion with delta-6 desaturase activity, which in mammals is encoded by FADS2, not a separate "FADS6". For any structured database, this target should be flagged as incorrect and normalized/redescribed as "Fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2), delta-6 desaturase" if mammalian context is required[1][4].

Other names

FP18279fatty acid desaturase domain family member 6FADS6