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10 sources retrieved · Most recent: April 2026 · Index updated 14 days ago
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MGLL
monoglyceride lipase
Chromosome 3 · 3q21.3
NCBI Gene: 11343Ensembl: ENSG00000074416.16HGNC: HGNC:17038UniProt: A0A0C4DFN3
80PubMed Papers
20Diseases
1Drugs
0Pathogenic Variants
FUNCTIONAL ROLE
Hub Gene
CLINICAL
Early Pipeline
DATA QUALITY
✓ Experimental GO Evidence✓ Swiss-Prot Reviewed
protein homodimerization activityacylglycerol catabolic processmonoacylglycerol lipase activityprotein bindingprostate carcinomasmoking initiationplacenta praeviacolor vision disorder
✦AI Summary

MGLL (monoglyceride lipase) is a cytosolic lipid hydrolase that catalyzes the conversion of monoacylglycerols to free fatty acids and glycerol 12345. Its primary endocannabinoid-related function involves hydrolyzing 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), thereby regulating endocannabinoid signaling and pain perception 12345. Beyond endocannabinoid metabolism, MGLL generates fatty acid signaling molecules that promote cancer cell migration, invasion, and tumor growth 2. In disease contexts, MGLL dysfunction contributes to multiple pathologies. In renal fibrosis, MGLL deficiency leads to 2-AG accumulation and lipid-mediated tubular cell toxicity through CB2/β-catenin signaling; restoration of MGLL preserves fatty acid β-oxidation and protects against fibrogenesis 6. MGLL is significantly upregulated in pancreatic adenocarcinoma, promoting progression via the PI3K-AKT pathway and increased matrix metalloproteinase expression; melatonin may inhibit MGLL as a therapeutic approach 7. MGLL is downregulated during cancer cachexia, contributing to hepatic metabolic dysfunction 8. Genetic variants in MGLL modulate plasma LDL cholesterol levels and particle size response to omega-3 supplementation, suggesting involvement in lipoprotein metabolism 9.

Sources cited
1
MGLL converts monoacylglycerols to free fatty acids and glycerol; hydrolyzes 2-AG to regulate endocannabinoid signaling and pain perception
PMID: 19029917
2
MGLL hydrolyzes 2-AG and regulates fatty acid signaling molecules that promote cancer cell migration, invasion, and tumor growth
PMID: 20079333
3
MGLL hydrolyzes 2-AG and regulates endocannabinoid signaling and nociperception
PMID: 21049984
4
MGLL converts monoacylglycerols to free fatty acids and regulates endocannabinoid signaling
PMID: 22969151
5
MGLL hydrolyzes 2-AG to regulate endocannabinoid signaling and pain perception
PMID: 24368842
6
MGLL deficiency in chronic kidney disease increases 2-AG and causes lipid accumulation; restoration of MGLL preserves fatty acid β-oxidation and protects against renal fibrosis
PMID: 38389852
7
MGLL is overexpressed in pancreatic adenocarcinoma and promotes cancer progression through PI3K-AKT signaling and increased MMP-2/9 expression
PMID: 40089287
8
MGLL expression is downregulated during cancer cachexia, contributing to hepatic metabolic dysfunction
PMID: 35277933
9
MGLL gene polymorphisms influence plasma LDL cholesterol levels and particle size response to omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation
PMID: 24884512
Disease Associationsⓘ20
prostate carcinomaOpen Targets
0.38Weak
smoking initiationOpen Targets
0.32Weak
placenta praeviaOpen Targets
0.31Weak
color vision disorderOpen Targets
0.29Weak
ThrombophlebitisOpen Targets
0.26Weak
PhlebitisOpen Targets
0.25Weak
protein energy malnutritionOpen Targets
0.23Weak
vascular diseaseOpen Targets
0.22Weak
Primary amenorrheaOpen Targets
0.12Weak
neoplasmOpen Targets
0.12Weak
Alzheimer diseaseOpen Targets
0.10Weak
hepatocellular carcinomaOpen Targets
0.10Weak
cancerOpen Targets
0.08Suggestive
AnxietyOpen Targets
0.08Suggestive
nonpapillary renal cell carcinomaOpen Targets
0.08Suggestive
gastrointestinal stromal tumorOpen Targets
0.08Suggestive
eosinophilic esophagitisOpen Targets
0.07Suggestive
esophageal adenocarcinomaOpen Targets
0.07Suggestive
lung adenocarcinomaOpen Targets
0.07Suggestive
ThrombocytopeniaOpen Targets
0.06Suggestive
Pathogenic Variants
No pathogenic variants reported on ClinVar for this gene.
View on ClinVar ↗
Drug Targets1
ELCUBRAGISTATPhase I
Monoglyceride lipase inhibitor
neuropathic pain
Related Genes
NDUFS4Protein interaction100%NDUFB9Protein interaction100%NDUFS3Protein interaction100%NDUFV1Protein interaction100%NDUFB10Protein interaction100%NDUFS2Protein interaction100%
Tissue Expression6 tissues
Liver
100%
Heart
94%
Lung
53%
Brain
32%
Bone Marrow
23%
Ovary
4%
Gene Interaction Network
Click a node to explore
MGLLNDUFS4NDUFB9NDUFS3NDUFV1NDUFB10NDUFS2
PROTEIN STRUCTURE
Preparing viewer…
PDB9F8D · 1.14 Å · X-ray
View on RCSB ↗
Constraintⓘ
LOEUFⓘ
0.50Moderately Constrained
pLIⓘ
0.98Intolerant
Observed/Expected LoF0.29 [0.17–0.50]
RankingsWhere MGLL stands among ~20K protein-coding genes
  • #5,941of 20,598
    Most Researched80
  • #2,996of 17,882
    Most Constrained (LOEUF)0.50 · top quartile
Genes detectedMGLL
Sources retrieved10 papers
Response time—
📄 Sources
10▼
1
The ménage à trois of autophagy, lipid droplets and liver disease.
PMID: 33794741
Autophagy · 2022
1.00
2
MAGL protects against renal fibrosis through inhibiting tubular cell lipotoxicity.
PMID: 38389852
Theranostics · 2024
0.90
3
Targeting lipophagy in macrophages improves repair in multiple sclerosis.
PMID: 35282773
Autophagy · 2022
0.80
4
A defective lysophosphatidic acid-autophagy axis increases miscarriage risk by restricting decidual macrophage residence.
PMID: 35220880
Autophagy · 2022
0.70
5
MGLL Promotes Pancreatic Cancer Progression and Invasion: Potential Therapeutic Inhibition by Melatonin.
PMID: 40089287
Ann Clin Lab Sci · 2025
0.60