Drug pipeline
Full profile accessExplore the programs pursuing this target and their development progress.
- Drug candidates
- Developers
- Development stage
Target intelligence / Profile preview
Acyl-CoA Cholesterol Acyltransferase (ACAT)
- Target
- ACAT
- Molecular classification
- Enzyme, Acyltransferase
01
Overview
Acyl-CoA cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT), also known as sterol O-acyltransferase (SOAT), is a membrane-bound enzyme that catalyzes the formation of cholesteryl esters from cholesterol and long-chain fatty acyl-CoA. This reaction is crucial for cellular cholesterol homeostasis, as it converts potentially toxic free cholesterol into a storage form—cholesteryl esters—which are sequestered in cytoplasmic lipid droplets or incorporated into lipoproteins. There are two main isoenzymes in mammals: ACAT1 (SOAT1), ubiquitously expressed and primarily involved in intracellular cholesterol homeostasis, and ACAT2 (SOAT2), mainly in the liver and intestine, playing a key role in lipoprotein assembly. ACAT activity is implicated in diseases like atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's, and cancer, making it a potential therapeutic target.
- Other names
- Sterol O-acyltransferaseSOATSOAT1SOAT2ACAT1ACAT2
02
Mechanism of action
Inhibition of cholesterol esterification
03
Biological functions
Cholesterol esterificationIntracellular cholesterol homeostasisLipoprotein assemblySteroid hormone synthesisCholesterol storage
04
Disease associations
AtherosclerosisAlzheimer's DiseaseCancer
05
Safety considerations
Potential for off-target effects due to ubiquitous expression (ACAT1)Complex role in lipid metabolism requires careful monitoring
06
Interacting drugs
ACAT inhibitors (unspecified)
07
Biomarkers
Cholesteryl ester levelsOxysterol levels
Beyond the preview
Go deeper on Acyl-CoA Cholesterol Acyltransferase (ACAT).
Explore the evidence, development activity, and competitive landscape with Gosset’s full data platform.
Clinical trials
Full profile accessFollow the clinical studies evaluating therapies directed at this target.
- Trial design
- Status
- Readouts
Competitive landscape
Full profile accessCompare approaches across drug candidates, modalities, and indications.
- Programs
- Modalities
- Indications
Literature & evidence
Full profile accessInvestigate the research and source evidence behind target biology and development.
- Publications
- Sources
- Analysis
Patents
Full profile accessExplore patent activity around therapies and technologies addressing this target.
- Patents
- Assignees
- Technologies
Research & analysis
Full profile accessConnect target biology, drug development, and emerging evidence in your research.
- Biology
- Development news
- Analysis
Bring the full picture into focus.
See how Gosset can support your research on Acyl-CoA Cholesterol Acyltransferase (ACAT).