Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase 2, mitochondrial (GPAT2)

Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase 2, mitochondrial (GPAT2) is a mitochondrial outer membrane enzyme that catalyzes the initial and rate-limiting step of glycerolipid biosynthesis, specifically converting glycerol-3-phosphate and long-chain acyl-CoA to lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)—a key intermediate for the synthesis of triacylglycerol (TAG) and phospholipids[1][3]. Unlike the ER-localized GPAT isoforms, GPAT2 is uniquely involved in mitochondrial metabolic processes and is required for mitochondrial fusion, likely by providing local pools of LPA essential for membrane dynamics[2]. GPAT2 also plays a non-canonical role in primary piRNA biosynthesis, where it interacts with Piwi-like proteins; this function is independent of its acyltransferase activity[1][3]. High GPAT2 expression is found in the testis under physiological conditions and aberrantly in a range of tumors, where it promotes cell proliferation, migration, and tumorigenicity, making it a cancer/testis antigen[3]. Mutations or dysregulation of GPAT2 are linked to male infertility and various cancers[1][3]. There are currently no approved drugs directly targeting GPAT2, and no established mechanisms of action for such agents or clinical safety profiles, but altered GPAT2 expression serves as a biomarker for some malignancies[3].

Other names

Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase 2, mitochondrialGPAT2GPAT-2CT1231-acylglycerol-3-phosphate O-acyltransferase GPAT2xGPAT1cancer/testis antigen 123