Acyltransferase that catalyzes the formation of ester bonds between fatty alcohols and fatty acyl-CoAs to form wax monoesters ( , ). Shows a preference for medium chain acyl-CoAs from C12 to C16 in length and fatty alcohols shorter than C20, as the acyl donors and acceptors, respectively (, ). Also possesses acyl-CoA retinol acyltransferase (ARAT) activity that catalyzes 11-cis-specific retinyl ester synthesis (, ). Shows higher catalytic efficiency toward 11-cis-retinol versus 9-cis-retinol, 13-cis-retinol, and all-trans-retinol substrates .
Subcellular locations: Endoplasmic reticulum membrane
Highly expressed in skin, where it is primarily restricted to undifferentiated peripheral sebocytes. Also expressed at lower level in other tissues except pancreas.