Synonyms |
degenerative spermatocyte desaturase, DegS, Degs1, DEGS2, dehydroceramide desaturase, DELTA4 desaturase, DELTA4DES, DES-1, DES1, DES2, DHCD, dihydroceramide C4-desaturase, dihydroceramide DELTA4-(E)-desaturase, dihydroceramide DELTA4-desaturase, dihydroceramide DELTA4-desaturase 1, dihydroceramide desaturase, dihydroceramide desaturase 1, dihydroceramide desaturase 2, dihydroceramide desaturase-1, dihydroceramide-desaturase-1, drosophila degenerative spermatocyte 1, drosophila degenerative spermatocyte 2, ifc, LCB DELTA4 desaturase, MDES, membrane lipid desaturase, MLD, SPBC3B8.07c, sphingolipid DELTA4-desaturase |
Comments |
The enzyme, which has been characterized from plants, fungi, and mammals, generates a trans double bond at position 4 of sphinganine bases in sphingolipids [1]. The preferred substrate is dihydroceramide, but the enzyme is also active with dihydroglucosylceramide [2]. Unlike EC 1.14.19.29, sphingolipid 8-desaturase, this enzyme does not contain an integral cytochrome b5 domain [4] and requires an external cytochrome b5 [3]. The product serves as an important signalling molecules in mammals and is required for spermatide differentiation [5]. |