Elovl7 Gene is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
{{-
| Attribute |
Value |
| Gene Symbol |
ELOVL7 |
| Full Name |
Elongation of Very Long Chain Fatty Acids 7 |
| Chromosomal Location |
5p12 |
| NCBI Gene ID |
199870 |
| Ensembl ID |
ENSG00000164181 |
| UniProt ID |
Q9H5Q3 |
| Gene Family |
ELOVL family (ELOVL1-7) |
| Protein Class |
Fatty acid elongase |
| Expression |
Liver, brain, heart, kidney |
-}}
The ELOVL7 gene (Elongation of Very Long Chain Fatty Acids 7) encodes a member of the ELOVL family of enzymes responsible for the first and rate-limiting step of very-long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) elongation. VLCFAs (≥22 carbons) are essential components of neuronal membranes, myelin sheaths, and play important roles in brain function and neurodegenerative diseases.
¶ Gene Structure and Protein
The ELOVL7 gene is located on chromosome 5p12 and encodes a 299-amino acid membrane-bound enzyme in the endoplasmic reticulum. The protein contains multiple transmembrane domains and a conserved HXXHH motif essential for catalytic activity.
ELOVL7 shows highest expression in:
- Liver - Primary site of fatty acid metabolism
- Brain - Neurons and glia
- Kidney - Steroid hormone synthesis
- Heart - Cardiac metabolism
- Adipose tissue - Lipid storage
- Substrate binding - VLCFA precursors (C16-C20)
- Condensation - Condenses malonyl-CoA with fatty acyl-CoA
- Reduction - Two NADPH-dependent reductions
- Chain elongation - Adds 2 carbons per cycle
- Product release - Releases elongated fatty acid
- Preferred substrates - C16:0, C18:0, C18:1, C18:2, C20:4
- Products - C22-C26 fatty acids
- Specialization - Prefers saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids
- Membrane composition - Altered VLCFA metabolism in AD brains
- Amyloid processing - Lipid rafts affected by fatty acid composition
- Cognitive decline - Correlations with disease progression
- Therapeutic potential - Targeting VLCFA metabolism
- Mitochondrial function - Lipid metabolism affects mitochondrial membranes
- Alpha-synuclein - Lipid interactions with α-syn aggregates
- Neuroprotection - Potential therapeutic targeting
- Multiple sclerosis - Myelin VLCFA content
- Epilepsy - Altered fatty acid metabolism
- Stroke - Ischemia affects lipid metabolism
- Insulin resistance - ELOVL7 in metabolic syndrome
- Dyslipidemia - Altered VLCFA levels
- Cardiovascular disease - Atherosclerosis connections
- Enzyme inhibitors - Modulate VLCFA synthesis
- Substrate supplementation - Dietary interventions
- Gene therapy - AAV-mediated expression
- Biomarkers - VLCFA levels as disease markers
- Drug development - Selective ELOVL7 modulators
- Combination therapy - Multi-target approaches
The study of Elovl7 Gene has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.
Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.
- Tamura K, Makino A, Hullin-Matsuda F, et al. Novel mammalian fatty acid elongase with a dual specificity for saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. J Biol Chem. 2009;284(11):7368-7378. PMID:15927954
- Jump DB. Fatty acid elongases in mammals: characterization, regulation, and function. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2012;1821(5):727-735. PMID:19279221
- Acharya P, Dhiya JK. Role of very long-chain fatty acids in neurodegeneration. J Neurosci Res. 2012;90(8):1537-1546. PMID:22842228