Abstract: Nucleic acid compositions encoding polypeptide products with diglyceride acyltransferase and/or monoacylglycerol acyltransferase activity, as well as the polypeptide products encoded thereby, i.e., mammalian DGAT2?, MGAT1, or MGAT2 polypeptide products, and methods for producing the same, are provided. Also provided are: methods and compositions for modulating DGAT2?, MGAT1, or MGAT2 activity; DGAT2?, MGAT1, or MGAT2 transgenic cells, animals and plants, as well as methods for their preparation; and methods for making diglyceride, diglyceride compositions, triglycerides and triglyceride compositions, as well as the compositions produced by these methods. The subject methods and compositions find use in a variety of different applications, including research, medicine, agriculture and industry applications.

Abstract: Nucleic acid compositions encoding mammalian DGAT2&agr; polypeptide products with diglyceride acyltransferase activity, as well as the mammalian DGAT2&agr; polypeptide products encoded thereby and methods for producing the same, are provided. The subject DGAT2&agr; polypeptide and nucleic acid compositions find use in a variety of applications, including research, diagnostic, and therapeutic agent screening applications, as well as in treatment therapies and in the production of triacylglycerols.