MBOAT4

Description

The MBOAT4 (membrane bound O-acyltransferase domain containing 4) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 8.

MBOAT4, also known as Ghrelin O-acyltransferase, is an enzyme encoded by the MBOAT4 gene in humans. It is homologous to other membrane-bound O-acyltransferases and is a polytopic membrane protein involved in lipid signaling reactions. MBOAT4 is the only known enzyme that catalyzes the acylation of ghrelin by transferring n-octanoic acid to ghrelin Ser3. This acylation process is essential for regulating appetite and growth hormone release. MBOAT4's importance in these processes makes it a target for research aimed at developing treatments for diabetes, eating disorders, and metabolic diseases. Consistent with its role in ghrelin function, MBOAT4 is found in all vertebrates, including mammals, birds, and fish. It is primarily expressed in the stomach and gastrointestinal system, but also in the brain, pancreas, pituitary gland, and certain cancers. The structure of MBOAT4 has not been fully determined experimentally.

Catalyzes the acylation of ghrelin at serine residue 3 (Ser-3) using octanoyl-CoA, hexanoyl-CoA, and decanoyl-CoA as preferred acyl-CoA donors, which activates ghrelin. In vitro, it can also utilize acyl-CoA donors of varying chain lengths from short-chain (C2) to long-chain fatty acids (C16), with butanoyl-CoA (C4) to dodecanoyl-CoA (C12) exhibiting greater efficiency compared to longer acyl-CoA donors such as myristoyl-CoA (C14) and palmitoyl-CoA (C16) which are less efficient. {ECO:0000269|PubMed:18443287, ECO:0000269|PubMed:24045953, ECO:0000269|PubMed:25562443, ECO:0000269|PubMed:28134508}

MBOAT4 is also known as FKSG89, GOAT, OACT4.

Associated Diseases

WES Whole Exome Sequencing