AWAT2
Function
Acyltransferase that catalyzes the formation of ester bonds between fatty alcohols and fatty acyl-CoAs to form wax monoesters (PubMed:15220349, PubMed:15671038, PubMed:16106050, PubMed:28420705). Shows a preference for medium chain acyl-CoAs from C12 to C16 in length and fatty alcohols shorter than C20, as the acyl donors and acceptors, respectively (PubMed:15220349, PubMed:15671038). Also possesses acyl-CoA retinol acyltransferase (ARAT) activity that preferentially esterifies 11-cis-retinol, a chromophore precursor of bleached opsin pigments in cone cells (PubMed:16106050, PubMed:24799687). Shows higher catalytic efficiency toward 11-cis-retinol versus 9-cis-retinol, 13-cis-retinol, and all-trans-retinol substrates (PubMed:24799687).
Sequence Similarities
Belongs to the diacylglycerol acyltransferase family.
Tissue Specificity
Highly expressed in skin, where it is primarily restricted to undifferentiated peripheral sebocytes. Also expressed at lower level in other tissues except pancreas.
Cellular localization
- Endoplasmic reticulum membrane
- Multi-pass membrane protein
Alternative names
DC4, DGAT2L4, MFAT, WS, AWAT2, Acyl-CoA wax alcohol acyltransferase 2, 11-cis-specific retinyl-ester synthase, Acyl-CoA retinol O-fatty-acyltransferase, Diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2-like protein 4, Diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase candidate 4, Long-chain-alcohol O-fatty-acyltransferase 2, Multifunctional O-acyltransferase, Wax synthase, 11-cis-RE-synthase, ARAT, Retinol O-fatty-acyltransferase, hDC4, hWS