Fatty acid desaturase 1 (FADS1), also known as Δ5 desaturase, is a 444-amino acid transmembrane protein encoded by FADS1. This product is the N-terminal cytoplasmic domain of FADS1, corresponding to residues 2-121 of the full-length sequence. It catalyzes conversion of dihomo-γ-linolenic acid to arachidonic acid and ω-3 arachidonic acid to eicosapentaenoic acid (Item Nos. 90110 | 90110.1 | 21908) during the production of ω-6 and ω-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs), respectively. Hepatic FADS1 protein levels and mRNA expression are increased in mice with high-fat diet-induced obesity and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Tissue-selective knockdown of fads1 in the liver, adipose tissue, and reticuloendothelial system of adult hyperlipidemic LDL receptor-null mice promotes hepatic inflammation and formation of atherosclerotic plaques and suppresses hepatic lipogenesis. Increased expression of FADS1 positively correlates with disease-free survival and overall survival times in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
