Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein (CETP)Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein (CETP)
IntroductionIntroduction
[Cholesterylester transfer protein[Cholesteryl ester transfer protein]] is a plasma glycoprotein which is implicated in the transport of cholesteryl esters from the atheroprotective high-density lipoproteins (HDL) to the atherogenic lower-density lipoproteins (LDL). The cristal structure of CETP at 2,2-Å resolution in complex with four bound lipid molecules shows a long tunnel which traverses the core of the molecule and has two distinct large openings allowing lipid access. This tunnel is plugged by an amphiphilic phosphatidylcholine at each end.