This gene encodes a bifunctional enzyme that is involved in the biosynthesis of sphingolipids in human skin and in other phytosphingolipid-containing tissues. This enzyme can act as a sphingolipid delta(4)-desaturase, and also as a sphingolipid C4-hydroxylase.
Mizutani Y, Kihara A, Igarashi Y (Apr 2004). "Identification of the human sphingolipid C4-hydroxylase, hDES2, and its up-regulation during keratinocyte differentiation". FEBS Letters. 563 (1–3): 93–97. doi:10.1016/S0014-5793(04)00274-1. PMID15063729.