Molecular aspects of intracellular sterol esterification: the acyl coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase reaction.
The conversion of cholesterol to an esterified storage form by the enzyme acyl-coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase, is a critical component of sterol and membrane homeostasis and represents a significant step in atherogenesis. The isolation in 1993 of the first molecular probe of acyl-coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase provided a key to understanding this reaction and its regulation. The sequence is apparently ubiquitous in eukaryotes, often with multiple sequence homologs within an organism. Presented here is a review of the known molecular events that lead to intracellular sterol esterification.
Sturley
S L
SL
Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA.
D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004952:Esters; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D005810:Multigene Family; D010802:Phylogeny; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000201:enzymology; D002785:Sterol O-Acyltransferase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013261:Sterols / Q000378:metabolism*
D004952:Esters; D013261:Sterols; D002785:Sterol O-Acyltransferase