PLTP
Description
The PLTP (phospholipid transfer protein) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 20.
Phospholipid transfer protein is a protein that in humans is encoded by the PLTP gene. The protein encoded by this gene is one of at least two lipid transfer proteins found in human plasma. The encoded protein transfers phospholipids from triglyceride-rich lipoproteins to high density lipoprotein (HDL). In addition to regulating the size of HDL particles, this protein may be involved in cholesterol metabolism. At least two transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. PLTP has been shown to interact with Apolipoprotein A1 and APOA2.
PLTP mediates the transfer of phospholipids and free cholesterol from triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (LDL and VLDL) into high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and also facilitates the exchange of phospholipids between triglyceride-rich lipoproteins themselves. It transfers a range of lipid molecules including diacylglycerol, phosphatidic acid, sphingomyelin, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylglycerol, cerebroside and phosphatidyl ethanolamine. PLTP plays a crucial role in HDL remodeling, modulating the size and composition of HDL. It is also essential for the uptake of cholesterol from peripheral cells and tissues, which is then transported to the liver for degradation and excretion. Two distinct forms of PLTP exist in plasma: an active form that can transfer phosphatidylcholine from phospholipid vesicles to HDL, and an inactive form that lacks this capability.
PLTP is also known as BPIFE, HDLCQ9.
