Spreading the wealth: Niemann-Pick type C proteins bind and transport cholesterol.

Munkacsi, Andrew B; Pentchev, Peter G; Sturley, Stephen L · Cell Metab · 2009

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Endocytosed cholesterol must be transferred from the environment (e.g., low-density lipoproteins) via the lysosomal system to the rest of the cell. In Niemann-Pick type C disease, this process fails. In a recent issue of Cell, Kwon et al. (2009) suggest how this transpires mechanistically by crystallizing a domain of a protein defective in this syndrome.

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