Cholesteryl ester transfer protein
(Redirected from Cholesterylester transfer protein)
Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) is a plasma protein that facilitates the transport of cholesteryl esters and triglycerides between the lipoproteins. It collects triglycerides from very-low-density (VLDL) or low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and exchanges them for cholesteryl esters from high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and vice versa.
Function[edit | edit source]
CETP plays a crucial role in the reverse cholesterol transport pathway, which is the process by which excess cholesterol is removed from peripheral tissues and returned to the liver for excretion. By transferring cholesteryl esters from HDL (where they are abundant) to VLDL and LDL (where they are needed), CETP helps to maintain the balance of these lipids in the body.
Structure[edit | edit source]
The CETP molecule is a hydrophobic glycoprotein with a molecular weight of approximately 74 kDa. It is composed of a single polypeptide chain and does not have any known enzymatic activity. The structure of CETP is unique among the plasma lipoproteins, as it is the only one that can bind to and transfer lipids between lipoproteins.
Clinical significance[edit | edit source]
Alterations in CETP activity can have significant effects on plasma lipoprotein distribution and function. For example, genetic mutations that reduce CETP activity are associated with increased HDL cholesterol levels, which is generally considered protective against atherosclerosis. However, some studies have suggested that reduced CETP activity may actually increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, possibly due to changes in the quality of HDL particles.
On the other hand, increased CETP activity can lead to decreased HDL cholesterol levels and increased LDL cholesterol levels, which are risk factors for atherosclerosis. Therefore, CETP is a potential target for the treatment of dyslipidemias and cardiovascular disease. Several CETP inhibitors have been developed for this purpose, but their clinical efficacy and safety are still under investigation.
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
 | This protein-related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
