Short Communication
Author(s): Stefan Bibow*, McLeod R A, Stahlberg H, Jeschke G, Guntert P, Riek R, Albiez S, Chi C N, Polyhach Y, Kowal J and Eichmann C
High-density lipoprotein particles (HDLs) are
transport containers in the circulatory system that
receive cellular cholesterol and lipids destined for the
liver and other lipoprotein particles. Because low
levels of HDL-cholesterol often indicate an increased
risk for cardiovascular diseases, HDL particles are
considered as important pharmacological targets for
therapeutic strategies. Mature spherical HDLs
develop from lipid-free apolipoprotein apoA-I
through the formation of intermediate discoidal HDL
particles which are the primary acceptors of cellular
cholesterol. Although of high biophysical and
medical importance heterogeneity in density, size,
shape, as well as protein and lipid composition
prohibited a detailed molecular and structural
description of discoidal HDL particles. Here, we
present the three-dimensional solution structure of
reconstituted discoidal HDL .. View More»