Elongation of very long chain fatty acids protein 4 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ELOVL4 gene.

This gene encodes a membrane-bound protein which is a member of the ELO family, proteins which participate in the biosynthesis of fatty acids. Consistent with the expression of the encoded protein in photoreceptor cells of the retina, mutations and small deletions in this gene are associated with Stargardt-like macular dystrophy (STGD3) and autosomal dominant Stargardt-like macular dystrophy (ADMD), also referred to as autosomal dominant atrophic macular degeneration. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]. Publication Note: This RefSeq record includes a subset of the publications that are available for this gene. Please see the Gene record to access additional publications.
Function: Condensing enzyme that elongates saturated and monounsaturated very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs). Elongates C24:0 and C26:0 acyl-CoAs. Seems to represent a photoreceptor-specific component of the fatty acid elongation system residing on the endoplasmic reticulum. May be implicated in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) biosynthesis, which requires dietary consumption of the essential alpha-linolenic acid and a subsequent series of three elongation steps.