Lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT)

Lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) is a soluble enzyme in the plasma that catalyzes the formation of cholesteryl esters from free cholesterol and phosphatidylcholine (lecithin), primarily on HDL particles. This conversion is essential for the maturation of HDL and the process of reverse cholesterol transport, carrying cholesterol from peripheral tissues back to the liver for removal. LCAT binds to both HDL and LDL, is activated by apolipoproteins (primarily ApoA-I), and has alpha- and beta-LCAT activities depending on the lipoprotein substrate. Genetic deficiency leads to rare diseases (familial LCAT deficiency and fish-eye disease) with renal and ocular manifestations, while altered LCAT activity is implicated in cardiovascular health and disease. The enzyme is a target for therapies aiming at enzyme replacement and modulation of cholesterol transport to treat related disorders

Other names

phosphatidylcholine-sterol O-acyltransferasephosphatidylcholine-sterol acyltransferasephospholipid-cholesterol acyltransferaseLCAT_HUMAN

Enzyme replacement (restores esterification in deficiency); Allosteric activation (gliflozins, sucrose, flavonoids increase LCAT activity); HDL-targeted therapies (potentially to enhance cholesterol efflux/HDL maturation)