LRAT is a retinol-esterifying enzyme and it is mainly found in G0 stage of stellate cells (Ito cells) in liver. At stellate cells, LRAT is thought to take a role engulfing and pooling excess vitamin A released from hepatocytes. As normal hepatocytes are characterized by lipid droplets pooling esterified vitamin A, LRAT is expected to be a marker of stellate cells in G0 stage. LRAT is also expressed in retinal pigment epithelium, small intestine epithelium and skin keratinocyte as well as liver. The physiological significance of LRAT protein at the endothelium is not clarified, yet. This antibody reacts with stellate cells and endothelia of mouse and rat. For research use only, not for use in diagnostic procedures.
