title: PCSK9 function and physiology.
abstract: PCSK9 has exploded onto center stage plasma cholesterol metabolism, raising hopes for a new strategy to treat hypercholesterolemia. PCSK9 in a plasma protein that triggers increased degradation of the LDL receptor. Gain-of-function mutations in PCSK9 reduce LDL receptor levels in the liver, resulting in high levels of LDL cholesterol in the plasma and increased susceptibility to coronary heart disease. Loss-of-function mutations lead to higher levels of the LDL receptor, lower LDL cholesterol levels and protection from coronary heart disease. Two papers in this issue of the Journal of Lipid Research exemplify the rapid pace of progress in understanding PCSK9 molecular interactions and physiology. Dr. Shilpa Pandit and coworkers from Merck Research Laboratories describe the functional basis for the hypercholesterolemia associated with gain-of-function missense mutations in PCSK9. Dr. Jay Horton's group at UT Southwestern describe the kinetics and metabolism of PCSK9 and the impact of PCSK9 on LDL receptors in the liver and adrenal gland.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA. peterson.andrew@gene.com
authors.forename: Andrew S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: Loren G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Fong
authors.forename: Stephen G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D000071449:Proprotein Convertase 9; D043484:Proprotein Convertases; D011485:Protein Binding; D020836:Protein Structure, Quaternary; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C472125:PCSK9 protein, human; D000071449:Proprotein Convertase 9; D043484:Proprotein Convertases; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases