Anti-LRAT

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. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. Protein function: Transfers the acyl group from the sn-1 position of phosphatidylcholine to all-trans retinol, producing all-trans retinyl esters (PubMed:9920938). 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. [The UniProt Consortium]