Microsomal esterification of retinol in human liver.

Recent work has shown that esterification of retinol in microsomes from rat liver, mammary gland and small intestine and from human small intestine is catalyzed by an acyl CoA: retinol acyl transferase (ARAT). The current study demonstrates ARAT activity in human liver microsomes. At optimal incubation conditions the rate of retinyl ester formation due to ARAT (0.37+0.31 nmole ester formed mg microsomal protein-1. minute-1, mean+SD, n=6) suggests that the enzyme is of physiological importance.