Transmembrane protein 68 (TMEM68)

Transmembrane protein 68 (TMEM68) is an endoplasmic reticulum-anchored integral membrane enzyme with acyltransferase activity involved in an alternative triacylglycerol (TG/triglyceride) biosynthesis pathway that operates independently of the canonical diacylglycerol acyltransferases DGAT1 and DGAT2[3][8]. TMEM68 (also called DIESL) catalyzes the formation of triacylglycerol from diacylglycerol and membrane phospholipids, such as phosphatidylcholine, thereby altering membrane composition and contributing to lipid storage and energy provision under conditions of limited fuel or extracellular lipid starvation[2][3][5][8]. It exhibits both monoacylglycerol acyltransferase (MGAT) and diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) activities, playing unique roles in lipid droplet biology and mitochondrial function maintenance in times of lipid scarcity[3][4][5]. TMEM68 is polytopic, with both N- and C-termini facing the cytosol, is highly expressed in the brain, and its activity may be regulated by the ER membrane protein TMX1[1][6]. There are no known clinical drugs or inhibitors specifically directed at TMEM68. The precise physiological and pathological significance of TMEM68 remains under investigation—current data indicate a modulatory role in lipid metabolism but do not yet associate TMEM68 directly with human diseases[8].

Other names

DIESLMGAT/DGATDGAT1/2-independent enzyme synthesizing storage lipidsFLJ323702-acylglycerol/1,2-diacylglycerol O-acyltransferasemonoacylglycerol/diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase

Not applicable (no known drugs directly target TMEM68 as of current literature)