Health Dictionary Find a Doctor

Lecithin retinol acyltransferase

Lecithin retinol acyltransferase is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the LRAT gene.[1][2]

Function

Lecithin retinol acyltransferase is a microsomal enzyme that catalyzes the esterification of all-trans-retinol into all-trans-retinyl ester during phototransduction, an essential reaction for the retinoid cycle in visual system and vitamin A status in liver.

Clinical significance

Mutations in this gene have been associated with early-onset severe retinal dystrophy.[2]

LRAT was overexpressed in colorectal cancer cells compared to normal colonic epithelium. Strong LRAT expression was associated with a poor prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer.[3]

See also

References

  1. Ruiz A, Winston A, Lim YH, Gilbert BA, Rando RR, Bok D (Feb 1999). “Molecular and biochemical characterization of lecithin retinol acyltransferase”. J Biol Chem. 274 (6): 3834–41. doi:10.1074/jbc.274.6.3834. PMID 9920938.
  2. 2.0 2.1 “Entrez Gene: LRAT lecithin retinol acyltransferase (phosphatidylcholine–retinol O-acyltransferase)”.
  3. Brown, Gordon; Beatriz Cash; Daniela Blihoghe; Petronella Johansson; Ayham Alnabulsi; Graeme Murray (2014-03-07). “The Expression and Prognostic Significance of Retinoic Acid Metabolising Enzymes in Colorectal Cancer”. PLOS ONE. 9: e90776. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0090776. PMC 3946526. PMID 24608339.

Further reading



© 2026 MyEClinic – IFTM Institut für Telematik in der Medizin GmbH