lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase


lec·i·thin-cho·les·ter·ol ac·yl·trans·fer·ase (LCAT),

(les'i-thin-kō-les'tĕr-ōl as'ĭl-trans'fĕr-ās), An enzyme that reversibly transfers an acyl residue from a lecithin to cholesterol, forming a 1-acylglycerophosphocholine (a lysolecithin) and a cholesteryl ester; a deficiency of this enzyme leads to accumulation of unesterified cholesterol in plasma resulting in anemia, proteinuria, renal failure, and corneal opacities; LCAT is also low in people with fish eye disease. Synonym(s): lecithin acyltransferase