DGAT1
Description
The DGAT1 (diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 8.
Diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1 is an enzyme encoded by the DGAT1 gene in humans. It is a multipass transmembrane protein that plays a vital role in metabolism by catalyzing the conversion of diacylglycerol and fatty acyl CoA into triacylglycerol. DGAT1 can also transfer acyl CoA to retinol. This enzyme's activity may be linked to obesity and other metabolic diseases. In mice, it is crucial for lactation, and mutations in the DGAT1 gene affect the composition and volume of milk produced by cattle and goats. Individuals with mutations in this gene are unable to break down fat, leading to diarrhea, vomiting, and failure to thrive. They may require total parenteral nutrition and can develop protein-losing enteropathy and very low albumin levels.
DGAT1 catalyzes the final and irreversible step in the synthesis of triacylglycerol, utilizing diacylglycerol and fatty acyl CoA as substrates. It is highly expressed in small intestinal epithelial cells, where it plays a crucial role in absorbing dietary fats. In the liver, DGAT1 esterifies exogenous fatty acids to glycerol, contributing to fat storage. It is also found in mammary glands, where it is involved in producing milk fat. DGAT1 might participate in VLDL assembly. Unlike DGAT2, DGAT1 is not essential for survival. It functions as the primary acyl-CoA retinol acyltransferase (ARAT) in the skin, maintaining retinoid homeostasis and preventing retinoid toxicity that can lead to skin and hair problems. DGAT1 exhibits additional acyltransferase activities, including acyl CoA:monoacylglycerol acyltransferase (MGAT), wax monoester and wax diester synthases. It can utilize 1-monoalkylglycerol (1-MAkG) as an acyl acceptor to synthesize monoalkyl-monoacylglycerol (MAMAG).
DGAT1 is also known as ARAT, ARGP1, DGAT, DIAR7.
