Elongation of very long chain fatty acids protein 3 (Elovl3)

Catalyzes the first and rate-limiting reaction of the four which constitute the long-chain fatty acids elongation cycle. This endoplasmic reticulum-bound enzymatic procedure, allows the inclusion of 2 carbons into the chain of long- and quite long-chain fatty acids/VLCFAs per cycle.

Condensing enzyme with higher activity toward C18 acyl-CoAs, particularly C18:0 acyl-CoAs. May participate in the production of saturated and monounsaturated VLCFAs of different chain lengths which are involved in multiple biological processes as precursors of membrane lipids and lipid mediators.