ELONGATION OF VERY LONG CHAIN FATTY ACIDS-LIKE 2; ELOVL2

Alternative titles; symbols

• SSC2, MOUSE, HOMOLOG OF

HGNC Approved Gene Symbol: ELOVL2

Cytogenetic location: 6p24.2 Genomic coordinates (GRCh38): 6:10,980,758-11,044,304 (from NCBI)

▼ Cloning and Expression
By EST database analysis and PCR of a mouse liver cDNA library, Tvrdik et al. (2000) cloned mouse Elovl2, which they called Ssc2. The deduced 293-amino acid protein contains 2 N-terminal transmembrane regions, 3 C-terminal transmembrane regions, and an ER retention signal. Elovl1 (611813), Elovl2, and Elovl3 (611815) share conserved motifs, such as an HXXHH consensus sequence, that are characteristic of fatty acid desaturases. Northern blot analysis of mouse tissues detected highest expression in the testis, followed by liver, with low expression in white fat, brain, and kidney.

▼ Gene Function
Kobayashi et al. (2007) overexpressed ELOVL2 in preadipocyte cell lines and observed increased triacylglycerol synthesis, enhanced accumulation of lipid droplets, and induced expression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase-2 (DGAT2; 606983) and fatty acid-binding protein-4 (FABP4; 600434).