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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
10:12
A Fluorescence-based Assay for Characterization and Quantification of Lipid Droplet Formation in Human Intestinal Organoids
Published on: October 13, 2019
DGAT2: A key therapeutic target in lipid synthesis regulation and metabolic diseases
Jun-Yao Cheng1, Hui-Xuan Gu1, Cheng-Hai He1
1School of Clinical Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, China.
European Journal of Pharmacology
|July 15, 2026
Summary
Diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2) is crucial for triglyceride synthesis and energy metabolism. Targeting DGAT2 offers a promising therapeutic strategy for metabolic disorders like MASLD and T2D.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Metabolic Regulation
- Enzymology
Background:
- Diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2) catalyzes the rate-limiting step in triglyceride synthesis.
- DGAT2 plays a vital role in energy storage and cellular lipid metabolism.
- Distinct from DGAT1, DGAT2 is essential for skin barrier integrity but its function can be compensated by DGAT1 in other tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the physiological and pathological roles of DGAT2.
- To highlight DGAT2 as a therapeutic target for metabolic diseases.
- To discuss current therapeutic strategies targeting DGAT2.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of DGAT2 function and regulation.
- Analysis of DGAT2's role in metabolic disorders.
- Overview of therapeutic approaches targeting DGAT2.
Main Results:
- DGAT2 is critical for triglyceride synthesis and energy metabolism.
- Dysregulation of DGAT2 is implicated in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D).
- DGAT2 is a significant therapeutic target for metabolic diseases.
Conclusions:
- DGAT2's central role in lipid metabolism makes it a key target for treating metabolic diseases.
- Therapeutic strategies include small-molecule inhibitors and nucleic acid-based approaches.
- Targeting DGAT2 holds potential for managing MASLD, T2D, and other metabolic disorders.
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