The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the acyltransferase family. It is located in the endoplasmic reticulum, and catalyzes the formation of fatty acid-cholesterol esters. This gene has been implicated in the formation of beta-amyloid and atherosclerotic plaques by controlling the equilibrium between free cholesterol and cytoplasmic cholesteryl esters. Alternatively spliced transcript variants have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Nov 2011].