DGAT2
DGAT2 (diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2) is an acyltransferase that catalyses the terminal, committed step of triacylglycerol synthesis. It joins diacylglycerol to a fatty acyl-CoA and is required for the synthesis and storage of intracellular triglycerides. Browse Assay Genie's current range of DGAT2 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
DGAT2 is an essential acyltransferase that catalyses the terminal and only committed step in triacylglycerol synthesis. It uses diacylglycerol and fatty acyl-CoA as substrates, covalently binding diacylglycerol to long-chain fatty acyl-CoAs. The enzyme is required for the synthesis and storage of intracellular triglycerides and probably plays a central role in cytosolic lipid accumulation. In liver, it is primarily responsible for incorporating endogenously synthesised fatty acids into triglycerides.
The DGAT2 protein has further activities. It also functions as an acyl-CoA retinol acyltransferase (ARAT), and it can use 1-monoalkylglycerol (1-MAkG) as an acyl acceptor to make monoalkyl-monoacylglycerol (MAMAG). It localises to the endoplasmic reticulum membrane, lipid droplets and the perinuclear region of the cytoplasm. It belongs to the diacylglycerol acyltransferase family, and the HGNC groups it in the diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2 family.
The DGAT2 gene encodes one of two enzymes that catalyse the final reaction in triglyceride synthesis. According to the NCBI Gene summary, DGAT2 acts at low concentrations of magnesium chloride, whereas the other enzyme, DGAT1, is highly active at high concentrations. Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been reported. The gene was previously named diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase homolog 2 (mouse), and mouse and rat both carry a Dgat2 ortholog.
DGAT2 catalyses the committed step of triacylglycerol synthesis, so it is a focal enzyme for studying how cells build and store neutral lipid.
In liver, DGAT2 is primarily responsible for incorporating endogenously synthesised fatty acids into triglycerides, making it relevant to hepatic lipid studies.
DGAT2 is found at the endoplasmic reticulum and on lipid droplets, and it probably contributes to cytosolic lipid accumulation.
Beyond triglyceride synthesis, DGAT2 acts as an acyl-CoA retinol acyltransferase and can acylate 1-monoalkylglycerol to form MAMAG.
DGAT2 catalyses the terminal and only committed step in triacylglycerol synthesis, using diacylglycerol and fatty acyl-CoA as substrates. It is required for the synthesis and storage of intracellular triglycerides, and in liver it mainly incorporates endogenously synthesised fatty acids into triglycerides.
Both enzymes catalyse the final reaction in triglyceride synthesis. According to the NCBI Gene summary, DGAT2 acts at low concentrations of magnesium chloride, while the other enzyme has high activity at high concentrations. The DGAT2 gene also has multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms.
Yes. Mouse and rat both have a Dgat2 ortholog, and the human gene was formerly named diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase homolog 2 (mouse). This supports the use of rodent models for lipid metabolism work; check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
The other diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase that catalyses the final step of triglyceride synthesis, with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q96PD7; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.