Could be implicated in synthesis of very long chain fatty acids. a very-long-chain acyl-CoA + H(+) + malonyl-CoA = a very-long-chain 3-oxoacyl-CoA + CO2 + CoA Expressed at low levels in prespore cells at the tipped aggregate stage, expressed in the anterior funnel cells in slugs, and then become enriched in upper cup cells during culmination. By STATa. Belongs to the ELO family.