1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase delta (AGPAT4)

1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase delta (AGPAT4) is a mitochondrial lysophospholipid acyltransferase primarily responsible for the conversion of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) to phosphatidic acid (PA) by incorporating an acyl group at the sn-2 position of the glycerol backbone[2][4][5]. AGPAT4 plays a central role in de novo phospholipid biosynthesis and regulates pools of phosphatidic acid that serve as substrates for downstream synthesis of key cellular phospholipids such as phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylethanolamine, particularly in brain and adipose tissue[1][2]. Its physiological roles include regulating membrane fission (via PA production at the Golgi and mitochondria), membrane lipid remodeling, and lipid signaling. AGPAT4 is implicated in several diseases, including congenital generalized lipodystrophy, certain neurodegenerative disorders, and cancers such as hepatocellular carcinoma, where it drives disease progression through the mTOR pathway and is considered a potential therapeutic target[3][5][6]. AGPAT4's tissue- and compartment-specific functions make it an important but complex pharmacological target, especially for diseases involving altered lipid metabolism.

Other names

AGPAT41-acylglycerol-3-phosphate O-acyltransferase 4Lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase deltaLPAAT-deltaLPLAT41-AGP acyltransferase 41-AGPAT 4dJ473J16.2

Inhibitors block the conversion of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) to phosphatidic acid (PA), disrupting PA-dependent pathways such as mTOR signaling in cancer[3][4].