title: DGAT: novel therapeutic target for obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
abstract: Obesity is currently an exceptionally common problem in humans. The last several years have produced a significant number of breakthroughs in obesity related areas of investigation. Triglycerides are considered the main form of storage of excess calories in fat. A key enzyme in the synthesis of triglycerides is acylCoA: diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT). Recent studies have shown that mice deficient in this enzyme are resistant to diet induced obesity and have increased insulin and leptin sensitivity. These effects suggest that inhibition of DGAT in vivo may be a novel therapeutic target not only for obesity but also for diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Subauste
authors.forename: Charles F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Burant
mesh_terms: D000217:Acyltransferases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology*; D051048:Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D014280:Triglycerides; D000217:Acyltransferases; C494881:DGAT1 protein, human; D051048:Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase