Lecithin-Retinol-Acyltransferase

Lecithin: retinol acyltransferase ( LRAT ) is the enzyme in the vertebrate, which catalyzes the esterification of retinol. This reaction takes place in all tissues that store vitamin A, but particularly in the retina, liver, and intestine. Retinyl ester ( retinyl palmitate in humans mainly ) are also the preferred form, is transported to the liver from the bowel in the vitamin A. LRAT is localized in the membrane of the ER and is one of the two substrates from there. Mutations in the LRAT gene are a cause of retinitis pigmentosa.

Rats without LRAT are not able to form vesicles in liver Ito cells, which serve as storage fat. Storage of vitamin A in the retina was examined in mice and was dependent on the presence of LRAT. In many human cancer cell lines, the gene expression of LRAT is lowered. On the other hand, mice respond with increased LRAT expression sensitive to carcinogens in the oral area.

Catalyzed reaction

  

All-trans- retinol and retinyl palmitate, and dipalmitoyllecithin be converted to 2- Palmitoyllecithin.

Human Genome Organisation Digital Object Identifier Biochimica et Biophysica Acta PubMed Central
504107
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