Acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase 1 (ACAT1) and Acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase 2 (ACAT2) (ACAT1, ACAT2 (sometimes SOAT1, SOAT2))

Acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) is a membrane-bound enzyme that catalyzes the intracellular esterification of cholesterol with long-chain fatty acids to produce cholesteryl esters[1][3][6][8]. It exists as two isoforms: ACAT1 (ubiquitously expressed, regulates cholesterol homeostasis in most tissues) and ACAT2 (predominantly expressed in intestine and liver, involved in lipoprotein assembly)[1][3][6]. ACAT is a key regulator of intracellular cholesterol storage, trafficking, and utilization; its activity influences lipid droplet formation and foam cell development in atherosclerosis[3][6][8]. ACAT is considered a promising therapeutic target both in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, as well as in cancer and viral infections due to its role in cellular lipid metabolism and immune cell function[2][6][8]. If the inquiry was about "Cholesterol acyltransferase" in plasma, *Lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT)* would be the correct enzyme and has distinct roles in cholesterol esterification in HDL metabolism[5][7][9]. The ambiguity should be resolved contextually; for cellular cholesterol esterification, **Acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT)** is the canonical target.

Other names

Acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferaseACATSOATcholesterol O-acyltransferasesterol O-acyltransferasecholesterol ester synthase

Inhibition of cholesterol esterification, limiting foam cell formation and cholesterol storage. Restoration of T cell function in viral infections and cancer by metabolic reprogramming.