Lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 4 (LPCAT4)

Lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 4 (LPCAT4) is an enzyme that catalyzes the acyl-CoA-dependent acylation of lysophospholipids, including lysophosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylethanolamine, to generate key membrane phospholipids such as phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. LPCAT4 is part of the lysophospholipid acyltransferase (LPLAT) family, which plays a central role in phospholipid remodeling (Lands’ cycle) crucial for maintaining the fatty acid composition of cellular membranes as well as cellular differentiation. LPCAT4 is expressed in multiple tissues including brain, testis, ovary, and cartilage, and is notably involved in the differentiation of chondrocytes and mineralization during bone development. Genetic studies link LPCAT4 to rare developmental syndromes such as brachydactyly-syndactyly syndrome and congenital generalized lipodystrophy. It has a preference for long-chain acyl-CoAs (notably 18:1) as acyl donors. There are currently no well-characterized drugs targeting LPCAT4.

Other names

LPEAT2Lysophosphatidylethanolamine acyltransferase 2LPAAT-etaLPLAT10AGPAT7AYTL31-acylglycerol-3-phosphate O-acyltransferase 71-alkenylglycerophosphoethanolamine O-acyltransferase1-alkylglycerophosphocholine O-acetyltransferase1-acylglycerophosphocholine O-acyltransferase1-acylglycerophosphoserine O-acyltransferaseLysophospholipid acyltransferase LPCAT41-AGP acyltransferase 7Acyltransferase-like 3Plasmalogen synthaseFLJ10257PLSC domain containing protein

Inhibitors or modulators would be expected to alter membrane lipid composition, phospholipid remodeling, or signal transduction that depends on fatty acid composition