LPAAT-ε Activators

LPAAT-ε, or lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase epsilon, is a protein encoded by the AGPAT5 gene in humans. It is a member of the acylglycerophosphate acyltransferase family, which is involved in the biosynthesis of phospholipids, a critical component of cell membranes. LPAAT-ε specifically catalyzes the acylation of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) to form phosphatidic acid (PA), using acyl-CoA as the fatty acid donor. This enzymatic reaction is a key step in the Kennedy pathway, a primary pathway for the synthesis of glycerophospholipids in the cell.

The function of LPAAT-ε is associated with the regulation of PA production within cellular membranes. PA plays a significant role as a precursor for the synthesis of various glycerolipids and also acts as a signaling lipid, involved in numerous cellular processes including membrane trafficking, cell proliferation, and cytoskeletal rearrangements. The enzyme's activity can influence the fatty acid composition of phospholipids, which in turn affects the biophysical properties of cellular membranes, such as fluidity, curvature, and signaling.LPAAT-ε is ubiquitously expressed in various tissues but shows a higher expression level in testis, suggesting a possible specialized function in the reproductive system. Alterations in the enzyme's activity may have implications in lipid metabolism disorders and have been associated with diverse pathological conditions such as obesity, cancer, and inflammation.