Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2025
09:15
Differential Effects of Lipid-lowering Drugs in Modulating Morphology of Cholesterol Particles
Published on: November 10, 2017
14.6K
Pharmacological interventions for lipid transport disorders
1Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States.
Frontiers in Neuroscience
|December 29, 2023
Summary
Defects in lipid transport cause neurological disorders. Budding yeast studies suggest two strategies: enhancing VPS13 protein activity or creating artificial organelle contacts to restore lipid transport.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Defects in inter-organelle lipid transport are implicated in neurological and neurodegenerative diseases.
- Understanding lipid transport mechanisms is crucial for developing therapeutic interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose therapeutic strategies for correcting lipid transport defects based on budding yeast studies.
- To highlight two distinct approaches for restoring lipid transport in disease contexts.
Main Methods:
- Investigated lipid transport mechanisms in budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae).
- Proposed small molecules to enhance VPS13 protein lipid transfer activity.
- Suggested molecules acting as inter-organelle tethers to form artificial contact sites.
Main Results:
- Identified potential therapeutic avenues for neurological disorders linked to lipid transport.
- Demonstrated the feasibility of enhancing endogenous lipid transport pathways.
- Showcased the possibility of bypassing defective endogenous contacts with artificial tethers.
Conclusions:
- Two promising strategies emerge from yeast lipid transport research for treating neurological diseases.
- Pharmacological enhancement of VPS13 activity offers a direct therapeutic approach.
- Artificial organelle tethers provide an alternative strategy to restore inter-organelle communication.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents
665
Hyperlipidemia, a medical condition often referred to as high cholesterol, is characterized by abnormally elevated levels of lipids in the bloodstream. When present in excess, these lipids, specifically cholesterol and triglycerides, can lead to serious health complications, often involving cardiovascular diseases. Illnesses like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and pancreatitis have all been linked to untreated hyperlipidemia. This means controlling and regulating cholesterol and triglyceride...
665
01:06Carrier-Mediated Transport
438
Carrier-mediated transport is a pivotal process in drug absorption, particularly for lipid-insoluble drugs, and encompasses facilitated diffusion and active transport. Facilitated diffusion allows drugs to move along their concentration gradient without energy expenditure, while active transport utilizes ATP to drive drug movement against this gradient.
Active transport involves two types of membrane-spanning transporters: uptake and efflux. Uptake transporters are expressed in the small...
Active transport involves two types of membrane-spanning transporters: uptake and efflux. Uptake transporters are expressed in the small...
438
01:07Physiological Pharmacokinetic Models: Incorporating Hepatic Transporter-Mediated Clearance
40
Drug transporters are critical in drug absorption, distribution, and excretion processes. They should be included in physiological-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models, which help predict human drug disposition. However, predicting this is challenging during drug development, especially when liver transport is involved. However, with a realistic representation of body transport processes, an accurate model may be possible.
A recent model describes pravastatin's hepatobiliary excretion,...
A recent model describes pravastatin's hepatobiliary excretion,...
40
01:14Hepatic Drug Clearance: Role of Transporters
60
In the liver and bile canaliculi, influx and efflux transporters modification can influence intrinsic clearance. Transporters play a significant role in moving drugs within liver cells. Elaborate models, such as the Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS), are essential to relate transporters to drug disposition. This system categorizes drugs into four classes based on solubility and permeability, providing insights into elimination routes and the effects of transporters following oral...
60
01:24Cellular Membranes and Drug Transport
561
Drugs must traverse multiple biological barriers, such as multi-layered skin, single-layered intestinal epithelium, and the plasma membrane, to reach their target sites within the body. The plasma membrane, a highly structured composite of phospholipids, carbohydrates, and proteins, is the cell's protective boundary, facilitating selective substance exchange.
Phospholipids arrange themselves into a bilayer, with hydrophilic heads oriented outward and hydrophobic tails facing inward.
Phospholipids arrange themselves into a bilayer, with hydrophilic heads oriented outward and hydrophobic tails facing inward.
561
01:25Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile
164
Understanding serum lipids is crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health and preventing heart disease and stroke.
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...
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...
164