Abstract
In this article, the history of the LDL receptor is recounted by its codiscoverers. Their early work on the LDL receptor explained a genetic cause of heart attacks and led to new ways of thinking about cholesterol metabolism. The LDL receptor discovery also introduced three general concepts to cell biology: receptor-mediated endocytosis, receptor recycling, and feedback regulation of receptors. The latter concept provides the mechanism by which statins selectively lower plasma LDL, reducing heart attacks and prolonging life.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 431-438 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology |
| Volume | 29 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Apr 1 2009 |
Keywords
- Cholesterol
- Coronary heart disease
- Familial hypercholesterolemia
- Receptor-mediated endocytosis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine