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The LDL Receptor

Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology · 2009 · Vol. 29(4) · pp. 431–438

Joseph L. Goldstein✉(The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center)Michael S. Brown

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.

Cholesterol and Lipid Metabolism Lipoproteins and Cardiovascular Health Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular DiseasesLDL receptorEndocytosisReceptorReceptor-mediated endocytosisMechanism (biology)BiologyPharmacologyCell biologyCholesterolEndocrinology

MeSH terms

AnimalsCholesterolEndocytosisHumansHydroxymethylglutaryl CoA ReductasesLipoproteins, LDLMyocardial InfarctionReceptors, LDLSignal TransductionHydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase InhibitorsProtein TransportFeedback, PhysiologicalHistory, 20th CenturyHistory, 21st Century