Seladin 1 is highly expressed in brain, adrenal tissues and adrenal tumours, where this enzyme catalyzes the reduction of the delta-24 double bond of sterol intermediates such as desmosterol, during cholesterol biosynthesis. In addition, Seladin 1 has an anti-apoptotic function by reducing caspase 3 activity during oxidative stress-induced apoptosis and protecting cells against amyloid-beta peptide-induced apoptosis. Several studies have identified a reduction in expression levels of this enzyme in brain regions affected by Alzheimers disease (hippocampus and the subventricular zone).
