LRAT
lecithin retinol acyltransferase
Pathway candidate — not linked to PFS or PSSD by any record here
Gene summary
A protein-coding gene on chromosome 4 (retinoid signaling). The protein encoded by this gene localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum, where it catalyzes the esterification of all-trans-retinol into all-trans-retinyl ester. This reaction is an important step in vitamin A metabolism in the visual system. Mutations in this gene have been associated with early-onset severe retinal dystrophy and Leber congenital amaurosis 14.
Source: NCBI Gene and Ensembl, accessed 2026-10-11.
Protein reference (UniProt)
- Protein
Lecithin retinol acyltransferase
- Function
Transfers the acyl group from the sn-1 position of phosphatidylcholine to all-trans retinol, producing all-trans retinyl esters. Retinyl esters are storage forms of vitamin A (Probable). LRAT plays a critical role in vision (Probable). It provides the all-trans retinyl ester substrates for the isomerohydrolase which processes the esters into 11-cis-retinol in the retinal pigment epithelium; due to a membrane-associated alcohol dehydrogenase, 11 cis-retinol is oxidized and converted into 11-cis-retinaldehyde which is the chromophore for rhodopsin and the cone photopigments (Probable). Required for the survival of cone photoreceptors and correct rod photoreceptor cell morphology (By similarity).
- Pathway
Cofactor metabolism; retinol metabolism.
- Subcellular location
Endoplasmic reticulum membrane; Rough endoplasmic reticulum; Endosome, multivesicular body; Cytoplasm, perinuclear region.
- Tissue specificity
Hepatic stellate cells and endothelial cells (at protein level). Found at high levels in testis and liver, followed by retinal pigment epithelium, small intestine, prostate, pancreas and colon. Low expression observed in brain. In fetal tissues, expressed in retinal pigment epithelium and liver, and barely in the brain.
- Associated conditions
Leber congenital amaurosis 14 (LCA14).
Source: UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot O95237, release 2026_03, licensed CC BY 4.0. This is the protein’s normal biology, not evidence about post-drug syndromes; associated conditions are inherited disorders of the gene, not PFS, PSSD or PRSD.
Why its pathway is in the library
These proteins take vitamin A from blood to gene regulation: RBP4 carries retinol, STRA6 takes it into cells, LRAT stores it, RDH10 and the ALDH1A enzymes turn it into retinoic acid (DHRS3 reverses the first step), CRABP2 carries retinoic acid to the nucleus, the RAR and RXR receptors act on it, and CYP26A1 and CYP26B1 break it down. Isotretinoin, the drug behind post-retinoid sexual dysfunction, is a retinoid; and several retinol dehydrogenases (RDH16, HSD17B6, RDH5) also oxidize androgen metabolites such as 3α-androstanediol, a point of contact with the steroid pathways implicated in PFS.
Written for the whole retinoid signaling family, not for LRAT specifically.
Mentioned in 0 corpus records
No corpus record names LRAT directly yet. It is in the library because it sits in a pathway the corpus tracks (retinoid signaling).
Also in retinoid signaling
All 23 genes- AKR1C3Powers
aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3
chr 10· Steroid synthesis· 9 records - ALDH1A1
aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member A1
chr 9· Drug metabolism· Pathway candidate - ALDH1A2
aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member A2
chr 15· Drug metabolism· Pathway candidate - ALDH1A3
aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member A3
chr 15· retinoid signaling· Pathway candidate - CRABP2
cellular retinoic acid binding protein 2
chr 1· retinoid signaling· Pathway candidate - CYP26A1
cytochrome P450 family 26 subfamily A member 1
chr 10· retinoid signaling· Pathway candidate - CYP26B1
cytochrome P450 family 26 subfamily B member 1
chr 2· retinoid signaling· Pathway candidate - CYP2C8
cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily C member 8
chr 10· retinoid signaling· Pathway candidate
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