Catalyzes the third of the very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA) elongation four-step cycle (condensation, reduction, dehydration, and reduction). This endoplasmic reticulum-elongation process is characterized by the addition of two carbons to the lipid chain through each cycle. This enzyme catalyzes the dehydration of the 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA intermediate into trans-2,3-enoyl-CoA, within each cycle of elongation. Therefore, it participates in the production of various VLCFAs involved in multiple biological processes as precursors of membrane lipids and lipid mediators.
Subcellular locations: Endoplasmic reticulum membrane
Highly expressed in testis, spleen, prostate, colon and heart, followed by moderate expression in thymus, ovary, small intestine, peripheral blood leukocytes, liver, skeletal muscle and pancreas. Weakly detected in kidney, placenta, brain and lung.