Acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 and 2 (DGAT1, DGAT2)

Acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferases—DGAT1 and DGAT2—are key enzymes responsible for the final step in triglyceride synthesis. They catalyze the esterification of diacylglycerol with fatty acyl-CoA to form triacylglycerols (triglycerides), which are then stored in lipid droplets or secreted as components of lipoproteins. These enzymes are highly expressed in tissues central to energy storage and lipid metabolism, including adipose tissue and liver[3][7][4]. While both isoforms perform similar biochemical functions, genetic studies show that they have distinct physiological roles; for example, loss of DGAT2 is lethal shortly after birth due to severely reduced triglyceride stores, whereas loss of DGAT1 leads to resistance against diet-induced obesity but can cause other side effects such as skin abnormalities[7][3]. Pharmacological inhibition of these enzymes is being explored as a therapeutic strategy for obesity-related diseases due to their central role in fat accumulation and metabolic regulation[3].

Other names

Diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1Diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2Triacylglycerol synthaseTriglyceride synthase enzymes

Inhibition of triglyceride synthesis by blocking the final step catalyzed by DGAT enzymes[3]