Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026
07:54
Cholesterol Efflux Assay
Published on: March 6, 2012
Structure and function of cholesteryl ester transfer protein in the tree shrew
Huirong Liu1, Gang Wu, Bing Zhou
1College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China. lhz17@yahoo.com.cn
Lipids
|April 2, 2011
Summary
Researchers cloned the full-length cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) gene in tree shrews. Specific mutations impact CETP secretion and cholesteryl ester transfer, offering insights into atherosclerosis resistance.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) is crucial for reverse cholesterol transport (RCT).
- Tree shrews are naturally resistant to atherosclerosis, making them a model for studying related mechanisms.
- Understanding CETP in tree shrews can provide insights into cardiovascular health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clone the full-length CETP cDNA sequence in tree shrews.
- To investigate the structure-function relationship of tree shrew CETP.
- To identify key residues involved in CETP secretion and cholesteryl ester transfer.
Main Methods:
- Full-length cDNA cloning of tree shrew CETP.
- Sequence alignment with human, monkey, and rabbit CETP.
- Analysis of CETP mRNA expression in various tissues.
- Site-directed mutagenesis to create CETP variants and assess their properties.
Main Results:
- The full-length tree shrew CETP cDNA is 1,704 bp, with high sequence identity to other mammals.
- CETP mRNA is most abundant in the liver.
- A mutation at Asn110 impaired protein secretion.
- Mutations at Pro344 and Gln452 reduced cholesteryl ester transfer activity by 48% and 26%, respectively.
Conclusions:
- The liver is the primary site of CETP synthesis in tree shrews.
- Asn110 is critical for tree shrew CETP secretion.
- Residues at positions 344 and 452 are essential for cholesteryl ester transfer function.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Synthesis of Phosphatidylcholine in the ER Membrane
The ER synthesizes lipids for building cell membranes and performing cellular functions such as energy storage and signaling. The lipid synthesis machinery embedded in the ER membrane primarily collects all reactants from the cytosol. Following synthesis, the secretory pathway and the ER contact sites distribute these lipids to other cellular organelles. Additionally, the energy-rich triacylglycerides are transported from the ER via lipid droplets.
The major components of all eukaryotic cell...
The major components of all eukaryotic cell...
01:22Cholinesterases: Distribution and Function
Cholinesterases are a group of serine hydrolase enzymes that play a crucial role in the breakdown of choline esters. The two primary types of cholinesterases are acetylcholinesterases (AChEs) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChEs), which differ in their distribution, function, and substrate specificity. AChEs, also known as true cholinesterases, specifically hydrolyze acetylcholine, while BuChEs, often referred to as pseudocholinesterases, can hydrolyze various choline esters, including...
01:28Assembly of the Lipid Bilayer in the ER
Biological membranes are more than just a barrier separating cell cytoplasm from the outside environment. They are highly dynamic and help maintain the integrity and physiological stability of the cells as well as membrane-bound organelles. Membranes also play vital roles in cell-to-cell and intracellular communication.
A large chunk of any biological membrane is composed of phospholipids. These lipids have a heterogeneous distribution across different subcellular organelles and even between...
A large chunk of any biological membrane is composed of phospholipids. These lipids have a heterogeneous distribution across different subcellular organelles and even between...
01:29Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation
Although not a source of energy, cholesterol plays a significant role as a foundational structure for bile salts, steroid hormones, and vitamin D, as well as being a crucial component of plasma membranes. Approximately 15% of blood cholesterol is derived from our diet, with the remainder synthesized from acetyl CoA by the liver and intestines. Cholesterol is eliminated from the body through its conversion into bile salts, which are eventually discarded in the feces.
Considering cholesterol and...
Considering cholesterol and...
01:29Insertion of Multi-pass Transmembrane Proteins in the RER
The rough ER membrane synthesizes, assembles, and embeds transmembrane proteins in diverse topologies. These proteins function as transporters or channels and can remain in the ER membrane or are sent to the Golgi complex, lysosome, and cell membrane.
The multipass transmembrane proteins are the type IV integral membrane proteins with multiple topogenic sequences determining their spatial arrangement in the ER membrane. Nearly all multipass proteins lack a cleavable signal sequence and use...
The multipass transmembrane proteins are the type IV integral membrane proteins with multiple topogenic sequences determining their spatial arrangement in the ER membrane. Nearly all multipass proteins lack a cleavable signal sequence and use...
01:21Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum or smooth ER is a sub-organelle with specialized functions in animal cells and plant cells. It is often associated with the tubule morphology of the endoplasmic reticulum.
The ER provides optimal conditions for synthesizing steroid hormones and lipids, such as phospholipids and triglycerides. Traditionally, lipid metabolism was considered to be a smooth ER function. However, there is no direct evidence to prove that rough ER is completely excluded from lipid...
The ER provides optimal conditions for synthesizing steroid hormones and lipids, such as phospholipids and triglycerides. Traditionally, lipid metabolism was considered to be a smooth ER function. However, there is no direct evidence to prove that rough ER is completely excluded from lipid...