Expression in yeast of an acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase cDNA from Caenorhabditis elegans

We have identified a cDNA from the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans that encodes an acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT). Its expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae resulted in an increase both in triacylglycerol content and in microsomal oleyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase activity. Such effects were similar to those of characterized plant DGAT genes. This is the first DGAT gene isolated from an invertebrate. The phylogenetic relationships between DGATs and animal and yeast acyl-CoA:sterol acyltransferases are illustrated.