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Acyl CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase genes and knockout mice
1Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease and Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco 94141-9100, USA. bob_farese.gicd@quickmail.ucsf.edu
Current Opinion in Lipidology
|April 29, 1998
Summary
Acyl coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) is crucial for cholesterol ester formation. Advances in molecular genetics have identified the ACAT gene family, enabling in vivo studies of its functions.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Acyl coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) is an endoplasmic reticulum enzyme catalyzing cholesterol ester formation.
- Sterol esterification is a conserved process across species, including yeast.
- ACAT's role in cellular cholesterol homeostasis is significant.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize current knowledge on the molecular genetics of ACAT.
- To highlight the impact of recent cDNA cloning and genome sequencing on ACAT research.
- To discuss the identification of the ACAT gene family and its implications.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on ACAT molecular genetics.
- Analysis of data from human cDNA cloning and genome sequencing projects.
- In silico identification of ACAT gene family members.
Main Results:
- Identification of a human ACAT gene family.
- Development of molecular tools for in vivo ACAT research.
- Understanding of ACAT's evolutionary conservation.
Conclusions:
- The ACAT gene family has been identified through molecular cloning and genomic data.
- Molecular tools are now available to investigate ACAT functions in living organisms.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate ACAT's in vivo roles.