Lipase H (LIPH)

Lipase H (LIPH) is a membrane-bound enzyme of the mammalian triglyceride lipase family that hydrolyzes phosphatidic acid to generate lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a potent lipid mediator involved in multiple cellular processes, including cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and the maturation of hair follicle cells. LIPH is crucial for normal development and maintenance of hair follicles and is predominantly expressed in hair follicle cells, skin epidermis, and sebaceous glands. Mutations in the LIPH gene cause rare autosomal recessive conditions such as hypotrichosis and woolly hair, characterized by abnormal hair texture, sparsity, and increased fragility, linked to impaired LPA production and defective hair follicle function. Currently, LIPH is not known to be targeted by any approved drugs, and its main clinical relevance is as a diagnostic marker for genetic hair disorders rather than as a therapeutic target.

Other names

lipase member HLPD lipase-related proteinLPDLRmembrane-associated phosphatidic acid-selective phospholipase A1-alphamembrane-bound phosphatidic acid-selective phospholipase A1mPA-PLA1mPA-PLA1 alphaPLA1Bphospholipase A1 member Bphospholipase A(1)

not applicable; no approved drugs target LIPH directly as a therapeutic mechanism