fat-3 encodes a delta-6 fatty acid desaturase ('linoleoyl-CoA desaturase') containing an N-terminal cytochrome b5 domain that is orthologous to the vertebrate fatty acid desaturases (FADS); FAT-3 expressed in yeast uses linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid as substrates; FAT-3 is absolutely required in vivo for synthesis of delta-6 fatty acids, and also required for fully normal synthesis of C20 fatty acids; FAT-3 is required for a normally fast growth rate and movement speed, and for normal defecation rhythms and fertility; fat-3 is also required for regulation of basal innate immunity.
Enables stearoyl-CoA 9-desaturase activity. Involved in several processes, including egg-laying behavior; signal release; and system process. Predicted to be located in membrane. Expressed in body wall musculature; head neurons; intestine; pharynx; and tail neurons. Used to study alcohol use disorder and lipid metabolism disorder. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in dilated cardiomyopathy. Is an ortholog of human FADS2 (fatty acid desaturase 2) and FADS3 (fatty acid desaturase 3).
Map position created from combination of previous interpolated map position (based on known location of sequence) and allele information. Therefore this is not a genetic map position based on recombination frequencies or genetic experiments. This was done on advice of the CGC.