The enzyme, characterized from the moss Ceratodon purpureus, converts the double bond at position 6 of ¦Ã-linolenate and stearidonate into a triple bond. The product of the latter, dicranin, is the main fatty acid found in C. purpureus. The enzyme contains a cytochrome b5 domain that acts as the direct electron donor to the desaturase active site. The enzyme also has the activity of EC 1.14.19.47 acyl-lipid (9-3)-desaturase.
