Drosophila lysophospholipid acyltransferases are specifically required for germ cell development.

ABSTRACT: Enzymes of the membrane-bound O-acyltransferase (MBOAT) family add fatty acyl chains to a diverse range of protein and lipid substrates. A chromosomal translocation disrupting human MBOAT1 results in a novel syndrome characterized by male sterility and brachydactyly. We have found that the Drosophila homologues of MBOAT1, Oysgedart (Oys), Nessy (Nes), and Farjavit (Frj), are lysophospholipid acyltransferases. When expressed in yeast, these MBOATs esterify specific lysophospholipids preferentially with unsaturated fatty acids. Generating null mutations for each gene allowed us to identify redundant functions for Oys and Nes in two distinct aspects of Drosophila germ cell development. Embryos lacking both oys and nes show defects in the ability of germ cells to migrate into the mesoderm, a p

SUBMITTER: Steinhauer J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2793297 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature