Patatin Like Phospholipase Domain Containing Protein 1 (PNPLA1)

Family of patatin-like phospholipases consists of various patatin glycoproteins from the total soluble protein from potato tubers, and also some proteins found in vertebrates. Patatin is a storage protein but it also has the enzymatic activity of phospholipase, catalysing the cleavage of fatty acids from membrane lipids.

Human patatin-like phospholipases, such as PNPLA1, have been implicated in regulation of adipocyte differentiation and have been induced by metabolic stimuli. By database analysis, followed by screening of human EST databases, Wilson et al. (2006) identified PNPLA1. The predicted protein has a patatin-like domain and 2 predicted tyrosine kinase phosphorylation sites. PNPLA1 was expressed at very low levels in a number of tissues, notably in the digestive system.