InterPro domain: IPR013866

This small domain appears to be specific to sphingolipid delta 4-desaturase. Sphingolipids are important membrane signalling molecules involved in many different cellular functions in eukaryotes. Sphingolipid delta 4-desaturase catalyses the formation of (E)-sphing-4-enine [ 1 ]. Some proteins with this domain have bifunctional delta 4-desaturase/C-4-hydroxylase activity. Delta 4-desaturated sphingolipids may play a role in early signalling required for entry into meiotic and spermatid differentiation pathways during Drosophila spermatogenesis [ 2 ].

1. Identification and characterization of a sphingolipid delta 4-desaturase family. J. Biol. Chem. 277, 25512-8