Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 23, 2025

Analysis of SCAP N-glycosylation and Trafficking in Human Cells
Published on: November 8, 2016
Role of STAR and SCP2/SCPx in the Transport of Cholesterol and Other Lipids
Melanie Galano1, Sathvika Venugopal2, Vassilios Papadopoulos1,2
1Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
Abstract:
Cholesterol is a lipid molecule essential for several key cellular processes including steroidogenesis. As such, the trafficking and distribution of cholesterol is tightly regulated by various pathways that include vesicular and non-vesicular mechanisms. One non-vesicular mechanism is the binding of cholesterol to cholesterol transport proteins, which facilitate the movement of cholesterol between cellular membranes. Classic examples of cholesterol transport proteins are the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR; STARD1), which facilitates cholesterol transport for acute steroidogenesis in mitochondria, and sterol carrier protein 2/sterol carrier protein-x (SCP2/SCPx), which are non-specific lipid transfer proteins involved in the transport and metabolism of many lipids including cholesterol between several cellular compartments. This review discusses the roles of STAR and SCP2/SCPx in cholesterol transport as model cholesterol transport proteins, as well as more recent findings that support the role of these proteins in the transport and/or metabolism of other lipids.
Related Concept Videos
Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation
Considering cholesterol and...
Regulation of Nuclear Protein Sorting
Lipid Absorption
These breakdown products bind with bile salts and lecithin to form micelles, which quickly pass between microvilli to come in close contact with the apical...
Membrane Asymmetry Regulating Transporters
Flippase
Eukaryotic flippases are type-IV P-type ATPases or P4-ATPases belonging to P-type ATPase family proteins that are membrane-bound pumps involved in the ATP-mediated transport of ions and molecules across the membrane. Flippases flip specific phospholipids from the outer to the inner leaflet of a membrane. All P4-ATPases have one...
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
Lipid Catabolism

