The protein encoded by this gene is an
isozyme of the
long-chain fatty-acid-coenzyme A ligase family. Although differing in
substrate specificity,
subcellular localization, and
tissue distribution, all isozymes of this family convert free
long-chain fatty acids into
fatty acyl-CoA esters, and thereby play a key role in
lipid biosynthesis and fatty acid degradation. This isozyme is highly expressed in brain, and preferentially utilizes
myristate,
arachidonate, and
eicosapentaenoate as substrates. The
amino acid sequence of this isozyme is 92% identical to that of
rat homolog. Two transcript variants encoding the same protein have been found for this gene. == References ==