Very long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLCPUFA) are present in retina, sperm, and brain. Though little is known of their biosynthesis or functional roles in these tissues, recent studies using the elongation of very long-chain FA-4 protein suggest a unique role for VLCPUFA in retinal development and macular degeneration. CAY10632 is a C32:6 VLCPUFA whose specific biological actions are largely unknown, but are thought to involve normal photoreceptor cell function in the retina.
