Stearoyl-CoA desaturase that utilizes O(2) and electrons from reduced cytochrome b5 to introduce the first double bond into saturated fatty acyl-CoA substrates. Catalyzes the insertion of a cis double bond at the delta-9 position into fatty acyl-CoA substrates including palmitoyl-CoA and stearoyl-CoA ( ). Gives rise to a mixture of 16:1 and 18:1 unsaturated fatty acids (, ). Involved in neuronal cell proliferation and differentiation through down-regulation of EGFR/AKT/MAPK and Wnt signaling pathways .
Subcellular locations: Endoplasmic reticulum membrane
Detected in fetal brain, and at lower levels in fetal kidney. Detected in adult brain and pancreas, and at lower levels in kidney and lung. Expressed in spiral ganglion cells and the organ of Corti of fetal cochlea .