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Structure and function of the plasma phospholipid transfer protein
L Lagrost1, C Desrumaux, D Masson
1Lipoprotein Biochemistry Laboratory, INSERM U498, Department of Medicine, Dijon, France.
Insights
Phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) is part of a protein family involved in lipid metabolism and immune defense. Its ability to transfer various molecules suggests roles in both areas, sparking scientific interest.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Plasma phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) shares structural similarities with other lipid transfer/lipopolysaccharide binding proteins.
- Members of this protein family may possess common functional properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional roles of PLTP beyond its structural classification.
- To explore PLTP's involvement in distinct metabolic processes and its potential dual role in lipoprotein metabolism and antimicrobial defense.
Main Methods:
- Cloning and sequencing of PLTP complementary DNA.
- Analysis of structural similarities within the lipid transfer/lipopolysaccharide binding protein family.
- Review of recent studies on PLTP's molecular transfer capabilities.
Main Results:
- PLTP belongs to the lipid transfer/lipopolysaccharide binding protein family, alongside cholesteryl ester transfer protein, bactericidal permeability increasing protein, and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein.
- PLTP facilitates the molecular transfer of phospholipids, unesterified cholesterol, alpha-tocopherol, and lipopolysaccharides.
- These transfer activities suggest a role for PLTP in both lipoprotein metabolism and antimicrobial defense.
Conclusions:
- PLTP exhibits multifaceted functions, acting as a key player in both lipid transport and immune response.
- The growing body of evidence highlights PLTP's significance, warranting further investigation into its mechanisms and therapeutic potential.
Abstract:
Recent cloning and sequencing of plasma phospholipid transfer protein complementary DNA revealed that phospholipid transfer protein belongs to the lipid transfer/lipopolysaccharide binding protein family that includes the cholesteryl ester transfer protein, the bactericidal permeability increasing protein and the lipopolysaccharide-binding protein. In addition to structural similarities, members of the lipid transfer/lipopolysaccharide-binding protein family might share some common functional properties, and recent studies demonstrated that phospholipid transfer protein can act in several distinct metabolic processes. In particular, the molecular transfer of phospholipids, unesterified cholesterol, alpha-tocopherol and lipopolysaccharides by phospholipid transfer protein suggests that it might be involved both in lipoprotein metabolism and in antimicrobial defence, resulting in a growing interest in this protein.