Characterization and Identification of the intestinal Cholesterol Uptake System

摘要

Cholesterol homeostasis is determined by the balance between cholesterol biosynthesis, degradation to bile acids, excretion of cholesterol and bile acids into bile and absorption of cholesterol and bile acids in the small intestine1. Whereas the molecular mechanism of intestinal bile acid absorption has been elucidated during the pastdecade, the molecular events taking place during intestinal cholesterol absorption still require study. Intestinal cholesterol absorption occurs in the entire small intestine, and generally a passive diffusion process is assumed7. There is, however, strong evidence arguing for a protein-mediated uptake process.