ACOT8

The protein encoded by this gene is a peroxisomal thioesterase that appears to be involved more in the oxidation of fatty acids rather than in their formation. The encoded protein can bind to the human immunodeficiency virus-1 protein Nef, and mediate Nef-induced down-regulation of CD4 in T-cells. [provided by RefSeq, Oct 2010]

Full Name

Acyl-CoA Thioesterase 8

Function

Acyl-coenzyme A (acyl-CoA) thioesterases are a group of enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of acyl-CoAs to the free fatty acid and coenzyme A (CoASH), providing the potential to regulate intracellular levels of acyl-CoAs, free fatty acids and CoASH. Acyl-coenzyme A thioesterase 8/ACOT8 display no strong substrate specificity with respect to the carboxylic acid moiety of Acyl-CoAs (By similarity). Hydrolyzes medium length (C2 to C20) straight-chain, saturated and unsaturated acyl-CoAS but is inactive towards substrates with longer aliphatic chains. Moreover, it catalyzes the hydrolysis of CoA esters of bile acids, such as choloyl-CoA and chenodeoxycholoyl-CoA and competes with bile acid CoA:amino acid N-acyltransferase (BAAT) (By similarity). ACOT8 is also able to hydrolyze CoA esters of dicarboxylic acids (By similarity). It is involved in the metabolic regulation of peroxisome proliferation.
(Microbial infection) May mediate Nef-induced down-regulation of CD4 cell-surface expression.

Biological Process

Acyl-CoA metabolic process
Alpha-linolenic acid metabolic process
Bile acid biosynthetic process
Dicarboxylic acid catabolic process
Fatty acid beta-oxidation using acyl-CoA oxidase
Fatty acid catabolic process
Negative regulation of CD4 production
Peroxisome fission
Protein localization
Viral process

Cellular Location

Peroxisome matrix. Predominantly localized in the peroxisome but a localization to the cytosol cannot be excluded.