Very long chain fatty acid elongase 2 (ELOVL2)

Very long chain fatty acid elongase 2 (ELOVL2) is a transmembrane enzyme localized to the endoplasmic reticulum that catalyzes the first and rate-limiting step in the elongation of long-chain and very long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), especially omega-3 and omega-6 species. ELOVL2 acts specifically to convert 22-carbon PUFAs such as docosapentaenoic acid (22:5(n-3)) and arachidonic acid (22:4(n-6)) to 24-carbon precursors, which are then used for the biosynthesis of critical lipids such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The products of ELOVL2-catalyzed elongation play major roles in retinal health, neural development, inflammation regulation, and maintenance of membrane structure. ELOVL2 expression and methylation are strongly correlated with age, and epigenetic silencing or loss of ELOVL2 function is linked to aging phenotypes, visual degeneration, and metabolic dysfunction. ELOVL2 is considered an important therapeutic target for retinal degenerative diseases, age-associated metabolic conditions, and possibly for epigenetic anti-aging strategies.

Other names

Elongation of very long chain fatty acids protein 2ELG3SSC2ELOVL FA elongase 2Ssc23-keto acyl-CoA synthase ELOVL2Very long chain 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthase 2Very long chain 3-oxoacyl-CoA synthase 2elongation of very long chain fatty acids (FEN1/Elo2, SUR4/Elo3, yeast)-like 2

PUFA supplementation increases substrate availability, bypassing deficient ELOVL2 activity in disorders of aging/retinal degeneration. Decitabine demethylates ELOVL2 promoter, restoring gene expression.