title: The diverse functions of oxysterol-binding proteins.
abstract: Oxysterol-binding protein (OSBP)-related proteins (ORPs) are lipid-binding proteins that are conserved from yeast to humans. They are implicated in many cellular processes including signaling, vesicular trafficking, lipid metabolism, and nonvesicular sterol transport. All ORPs contain an OSBP-related domain (ORD) that has a hydrophobic pocket that binds a single sterol. ORDs also contain additional membrane-binding surfaces, some of which bind phosphoinositides and may regulate sterol binding. Studies in yeast suggest that ORPs function as sterol transporters, perhaps in regions where organelle membranes are closely apposed. Yeast ORPs also participate in vesicular trafficking, although their role is unclear. In mammalian cells, some ORPs function as sterol sensors that regulate the assembly of protein complexes in response to changes in cholesterol levels. This review will summarize recent advances in our understanding of how ORPs bind lipids and membranes and how they function in diverse cellular processes.
authors: Laboratory of Cell Biochemistry and Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
authors: Sumana
authors: S
authors: Raychaudhuri
authors: William A
authors: WA
authors: Prinz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008566:Membranes / Q000378:metabolism; D013261:Sterols / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D013261:Sterols