A recent discovery by UCLA scientists sheds light on a new aspect of how dietary cholesterol is absorbed in the intestines. This insight opens up potential new avenues for cholesterol treatment. Central to this discovery is the role of the Aster protein family in cholesterol absorption and processing. An experimental drug, AI-3d, specifically targets these proteins and shows potential in inhibiting cholesterol absorption more effectively compared to existing treatments.
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Novel Discovery in Intestinal Cholesterol Processing
The University of California, Los Angeles team has identified an unknown step in the intricate process of dietary cholesterol absorption in the intestines. This finding could mark a significant advancement in the way cholesterol is treated.
Targeting a Newly Identified Pathway
Current cholesterol treatments, including statins, affect part of the cholesterol absorption process. However, the new experimental drug being researched at UCLA is unique in its targeting of this newly discovered pathway, potentially enhancing cholesterol management methods.
Dr. Peter Tontonoz, a UCLA professor in Pathology, Laboratory Medicine, and Biological Chemistry, and senior author of a study published in Science, explains, “We have identified that specific proteins in the Aster family are crucial in the process of cholesterol movement through absorption and uptake.” He adds, “The Aster pathway could be a promising new target for limiting intestinal cholesterol absorption and thus reducing plasma cholesterol levels.”
Insights into Cholesterol Movement in Cells
Cholesterol from food is absorbed by intestinal cells, where it is transformed into droplets that enter the bloodstream. This involves a multi-step process, starting with the protein NPC1L1 drawing cholesterol into the cell’s plasma membrane. It then moves to the endoplasmic reticulum, where the enzyme ACAT2 prepares it for transport.
The role of the Aster protein family, which binds cholesterol and assists its transfer between membranes, was investigated in this study. “We have resolved a long-standing mystery of how cholesterol entering the cell via NPC1L1 reaches the endoplasmic reticulum for esterification and regulation,” notes Dr. Tontonoz. He points out that Aster-B and -C proteins form a link between NPC1L1 and ACAT2, facilitating cholesterol transport.
Implications for Cholesterol Treatment
The study also reveals that blocking the actions of Aster-B and -C can reduce cellular cholesterol and impair its processing. While the existing drug ezetimibe targets NPC1L1 and ACAT2, reducing cholesterol absorption, it does not fully inhibit cholesterol transport via Asters. The newly identified AI-3d drug, however, effectively inhibits Aster-A, -B, and -C, showing promise in directly targeting Aster effects and reducing cholesterol absorption.
This research was supported by numerous grants, including from the National Institutes of Health and other notable institutions. The full findings can be found in the Science journal, under the reference: “Aster-dependent nonvesicular transport facilitates dietary cholesterol uptake” by Alessandra Ferrari and colleagues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Cholesterol Absorption Research
What is the new cholesterol absorption discovery at UCLA?
Researchers at UCLA have identified a previously unknown step in the process of dietary cholesterol absorption in the intestines. This involves the role of the Aster protein family in cholesterol metabolism, offering a potential new target for cholesterol treatment.
How does the experimental drug AI-3d relate to this discovery?
AI-3d is an experimental drug that targets the Aster protein family, which plays a crucial role in cholesterol absorption and processing. This drug shows promise in inhibiting cholesterol absorption more effectively than current treatments.
What is the significance of the Aster protein family in cholesterol absorption?
The Aster protein family is significant because it aids in the movement of cholesterol through the absorption and uptake process in the intestines. It provides a link between the NPC1L1 protein and ACAT2 enzyme, crucial in the cholesterol absorption process.
How does this discovery impact current cholesterol treatments?
This discovery offers a potential new approach to cholesterol management. It suggests that targeting the Aster protein pathway could be more effective in limiting intestinal cholesterol absorption and reducing plasma cholesterol levels, compared to existing treatments.
More about Cholesterol Absorption Research
- UCLA Newsroom: Cholesterol Absorption Breakthrough
- Science Journal Article: Aster-Dependent Cholesterol Transport
- National Institutes of Health: Cholesterol Research Grants
- American Heart Association: Cholesterol Management Advances
- UCLA Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine: Dr. Peter Tontonoz Research
4 comments
interesting read but i think more details on how this affects daily cholesterol levels would be helpful? like how does this impact our diet?
I’m no scientist but this sounds like a major step forward, though the technical jargon is a bit overwhelming tbh.
Isn’t this similar to what was discovered last year, or is it something completely new? kinda confused here.
great to see progress in cholesterol research! but, how soon can we expect this treatment to be available? anyone has any idea.