Mammalian acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferases.

Cholesterol, the chief sterol found in vertebrates, exists both as a free sterol and as a component of cholesterol esters, which are synthesized by acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) enzymes. Considerable knowledge concerning cholesterol ester metabolism has accumulated during the past century. However, rapid advances have occurred in the past 7 years since the cloning of an ACAT gene, including the discovery that two ACATs function in mammalian biology. A clearer picture of the functions of ACAT enzymes in cellular cholesterol metabolism and physiologic processes is now emerging. These insights may have relevance for the development of ACAT inhibitors for treating hypercholesterolemia or atherosclerosis in humans.