Introduction

Figure 1. This image shows the location of the DGAT protein within the Endoplasmic Reticulum Membrane

DGAT, or Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase is a polytopic endoplasmic reticulum membrane protein embedded within the membrane of the ER. DGAT is highly expressed in epithelial cells of the small intenstine of homo sapiens. It can also be found in the liver, where it helps synthesize fats for storage, and the female mammary glands, where it produces fat in the milk.

DGAT was originally discovered by its homology to Acyl-CoA cholesterol acyltransferases (ACAT) 1 and 2. The structure, catalytic mechanism of diacylglycerol acyltransferase, and how DGAT interacts with CoA was discovered using a Cryo-EM. The Cryo-EM map revealed that DGAT forms a dimer, with each subunit containing nine transmembrane helices. The N and C terminals of each helice are located on the cytosolic and luminal sides of the endoplasmic reticulum membrane respectively.

Function

DGAT makes triglycerides from a diglyceride in plasma. In order to do this, DGAT uses two substrates: a fatty acyl-CoA and a diacylglycerol substrate. The basic mechanism consists of a lone pair on a hydroxyl group of glycerol attacking the carbon of the thioester bond of CoA. This results in the breakage of the thioester bond, and the attached acyl group attaches to the glycerol, creating a triglyceride.

Structure

DGAT consists of two domains, one cytoplasmic and one luminal. The cytoplasmic domain interacts with the interior of the cell and relays signals. The luminal domain senses misfolded proteins. The structure of DGAT consists of two protein chains, one ligand, two polymers, eighteen alpha helices and zero beta sheets. The majority of the transmembrane helices present within the structure form a concave-shaped ridge on either side of the membrane.

The DGAT dimer structure is formed primarily through many hydrogen-bonding interactions between the first 20 resolved residues (His69-Gly87). Hydrophobic interactions of the transmembrane helix region (Phe82-Ile98) with the other monomer also support the dimer structure formation. Additionally, there are four phospholipids present at the dimer interface that have been thought to contribute to the interactions between DGAT monomers.

Tunnels

Active Site

The active site of DGAT is located within the membrane, with the catalytic histidine residue (-represented in white) buried inside the central cavity. This central cavity serves as the catalytic site. The acyl-acceptor lipid substrates access the active site through the lateral gate within the membrane. The active site also contains (represented in white) and several nearby polar residues (including Asn378, Gln437, and Gln465) whose side chains are oriented towards the cavity center. These residues interact and create a hydrophilic channel within the active site. The His415 residue is also likely involved in catalysis, making it increasingly significant.

Mechanism

In the DGAT mechanism, the diglyceride serves as the nucleophile. While the acyl group of the CoA enzyme serves as the electrophile. The lone pair on the last hydroxyl group present on the glycerol of the diglyceride attacks the thioester bond of the acyl-CoA enzyme. This attack breaks the sulfur-carbon bond, a weak bond that is easily breakable. This allows the acyl group of the acyl-CoA enzyme to attach to the diglyceride, creating a triglyceride. While the CoA group then serves as the leaving group.

Leaving Group

As previously mentioned, the Acyl-CoA molecule serves as the leaving group in the DGAT mechanism. This acyl-CoA molecule occupies the cytosolic tunnel, which has a bent architecture. The CoA moiety is at the cytosolic face, while the acyl chain extends through the center towards the endoplasmic reticulum lumen. The distal end of the acyl chain oleoyl-CoA interacts with DGAT deep within the hydrophobic channel of the active site. As the acyl-CoA binds to DGAT, small conformational changes are seen in the active site region. Although the reason for these conformational changes has yet to be discovered, it has been proposed that they prepare the enzyme for catalysis, making them very significant.

Relevance

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