Abstract

The mouse acyl CoA: lysocardiolipin acyltransferase (ALCAT1) exhibited lysocardiolipin acyltransferase
activity and polyglycerophospholipid acyltransferase activity in vitro and therefore was predicted to play a role
in polyglycerophospholipid remodeling pathway. To investigate the physiological function of ALCAT1 in vivo,
alcat1 null mice were generated. The alcat1 null mice were challenged with 60 kcal% high fat diet (HFD) to
examine ALCAT1’s effects on the whole body energy metabolism such as the body weight, tissue content and
blood glucose level. Interestingly, the null mice gained less body weight than the controls, and exhibited less fat
tissue content while the food consumptions were similar in both mice groups. Lower fasting blood glucose level
and less impaired glucose tolerance test in null mice were observed after HFD challenging. Besides, the yeast
complementation experiment also suggested that ALCAT1 might function through its acyltransferase activities in
vivo. In summary, this study suggests that ALCAT1 plays a critical role in regulating energy balance in vivo.

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