Membrane bound O-acyltransferase domain-containing protein 7 (MBOAT7) (MBOAT7)

Membrane bound O-acyltransferase domain-containing protein 7 (MBOAT7), also known as lysophosphatidylinositol acyltransferase 1 (LPIAT1), is an endoplasmic reticulum-resident enzyme that plays a pivotal role in the Lands' cycle of phospholipid remodeling. It specifically catalyzes the incorporation of polyunsaturated fatty acids, most notably arachidonic acid, into lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI) to produce phosphatidylinositol (PI). MBOAT7 is a significant genetic risk factor for chronic liver diseases; the rs641738 (C>T) variant is associated with reduced MBOAT7 expression and activity, leading to an accumulation of pro-inflammatory LPI species and a depletion of arachidonate-containing PI. This lipid imbalance promotes the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Conversely, MBOAT7 overexpression has been observed in certain malignancies, such as clear cell renal cell carcinoma, where it may drive tumor growth. Therapeutic approaches under development include mRNA-based strategies to restore enzyme function in NASH and small-molecule inhibitors for oncological applications.

Other names

Lysophosphatidylinositol acyltransferase 1LPIAT1LPIAThLPIAT1BB1Endoplasmic reticulum-associated lysophospholipid acyltransferase

Modulation of lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI) and phosphatidylinositol (PI) levels through the Lands' cycle; restoration of MBOAT7 activity to reduce hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in NASH, or inhibition of MBOAT7 to suppress tumor progression in certain cancers.