This gene encodes an enzyme belonging to the diacylglycerol acyltransferase family. This enzyme produces wax esters by the esterification of long chain (or wax) alcohols with acyl-CoA-derived fatty acids. It functions in lipid metabolism in the skin, mostly in undifferentiated peripheral sebocytes. This enzyme may also have acyl-CoA:retinol acyltransferase activities, where it catalyzes the synthesis of diacylglycerols and retinyl esters. [provided by RefSeq, May 2010]
Function:
Acyltransferase that predominantly esterify long chain (wax) alcohols with acyl-CoA-derived fatty acids to produce wax esters. Wax esters are enriched in sebum, suggesting that it plays a central role in lipid metabolism in skin. Has no activity using decyl alcohol and significantly prefers the C16 and C18 alcohols. May also have 2 acylglycerol O acyltransferase (MGAT) and acyl-CoA:retinol acyltransferase (ARAT) activities, to catalyze the synthesis of diacylglycerols and retinyl esters; however this activity is unclear in vivo.
Subcellular Location:
Endoplasmic reticulum membrane; Multipass membrane protein.
Tissue Specificity:
Abundant in tissues rich in sebaceous glands such as the preputial gland and eyelid. Highly expressed in skin, where it is primarily restricted to undifferentiated peripheral sebocytes. Also expressed at lower level in other tissues except pancreas.
Similarity:
Belongs to the diacylglycerol acyltransferase family.
SWISS:
Q6E213
Gene ID:
158835
Database links:
Entrez Gene: 158835 Human
Entrez Gene: 245532 Mouse
Entrez Gene: 302425 Rat
SwissProt: Q6E213 Human
SwissProt: Q6E1M8 Mouse
Unigene: 661507 Human
Unigene: 118171 Mouse
Unigene: 220750 Rat
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