Acyl-CoA wax alcohol acyltransferase 2 (AWAT2)

Acyl-CoA wax alcohol acyltransferase 2 (AWAT2) is an enzyme that catalyzes the esterification of long-chain fatty alcohols with acyl-CoA-derived fatty acids to generate wax esters—neutral lipids critical for the functional lipid composition of skin (sebum), meibum (from meibomian glands), and certain ocular tissues[3][5]. AWAT2 also has acyl-CoA:retinol acyltransferase (ARAT) activity, specifically supporting the formation of 11-cis-retinyl esters in the retina, which are essential for the regeneration of cone visual pigment and maintenance of daylight/color vision[1]. The enzyme is highly expressed in skin appendages such as sebaceous and meibomian glands and is crucial for normal lipid production and eye surface homeostasis. Genetic AWAT2 deficiency causes blockage of meibomian glands and evaporative dry eye in animal models[4][5]. AWAT2 is part of the diacylglycerol acyltransferase family and displays substrate specificity regulated at least in part by allosteric effects of its lipid ligands[1][3][5].

Other names

Acyl-CoA wax alcohol acyltransferase 2AWAT2DC4DGAT2L4MFATWS11-cis-RE-synthaseARATRetinol O-fatty-acyltransferasehDC4hWSMultifunctional O-acyltransferaseWax synthase11-cis-specific retinyl-ester synthaseAcyl-CoA retinol O-fatty-acyltransferaseDiacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2-like protein 4Diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase candidate 4Long-chain-alcohol O-fatty-acyltransferase 2retinol O-fatty-acyltransferase

Not applicable; as of 2024, no drugs are known to target AWAT2 directly.