title: The LDL receptor.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9046, USA. joe.goldstein@utsouthwestern.edu
authors.forename: Joseph L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Goldstein
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood / Q000266:history / Q000378:metabolism*; D004705:Endocytosis; D025461:Feedback, Physiological; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases / Q000378:metabolism; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000266:history / Q000378:metabolism*; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000235:genetics / Q000266:history / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000517:prevention & control; D021381:Protein Transport; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000235:genetics / Q000266:history / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D011973:Receptors, LDL; D002784:Cholesterol; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases