Elongation of very long chain fatty acids protein 1 (Elovl1)

Catalyzes the initial and rate-limiting reaction of the four that constitute the long-chain fatty acids elongation cycle. This endoplasmic reticulum-bound enzymatic process, allows the inclusion of 2 carbons into the chain of extended - and very long-chain fatty acids/VLCFAs each cycle.

Condensing enzyme that exhibits activity toward saturated C18 into C26 acyl-CoA substrates, with the highest activity towards C22:0 acyl-CoA. May participate in the production of both saturated and monounsaturated VLCFAs of different chain lengths that are involved in multiple biological processes as precursors of membrane lipids and lipid mediators.