MBOAT7

MBOAT7, also known as lysophosphatidylinositol acyltransferase 1 (LPIAT1), is a membrane-bound enzyme involved in the regulation of lysosomal lipid homeostasis. It catalyzes the selective esterification of arachidonyl-CoA to lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI), thereby influencing the availability of free arachidonic acid and its conversion into pro-inflammatory eicosanoids. MBOAT7 is anchored to endomembranes by six transmembrane domains and is primarily expressed in inflammatory cells. Its dysregulation has been implicated in various diseases, including metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and COVID-19, where it acts as a negative regulator of Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling, contributing to inflammation and disease severity.
Recent research has highlighted the potential of MBOAT7 as a therapeutic target. Studies have shown that MBOAT7 down-regulation is associated with increased inflammation and liver damage in MAFLD and COVID-19 patients. This suggests that modulating MBOAT7 expression or activity could be a promising strategy for treating these conditions. Ongoing drug development efforts are focused on identifying small molecules that can regulate MBOAT7 function, potentially leading to novel therapeutic agents for inflammatory and metabolic diseases.