Acyl Coenzyme A Synthetase Short Chain Family, Member 2 (ACSS2)

Acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase, cytoplasmic is a cytosolic enzyme that catalyzes the activation of acetate for use in lipid synthesis and energy generation. The protein acts as a monomer and produces acetyl-CoA from acetate in a reaction that requires ATP. Expression of this gene is regulated by sterol regulatory element-binding proteins, transcription factors that activate genes required for the synthesis of cholesterol and unsaturated fatty acids. The ACS protein contains 701 amino acids and is predicted to have a molecular mass of 78.5 kD and an isoelectric point of 6.27. ACS shares 93%, 66%, and 45% sequence identity with the mouse, Drosophila, and S. cerevisiae ACS proteins, respectively. Northern blot analysis of mouse tissues detected ACS expression at highest levels in liver and kidney and at lower levels in heart, brain, and testis.