This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Goldstein, J. L. Articles by Brown, M. S. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Goldstein, J. L. Articles by Brown, M. S. Related Collections History of Discovery

(Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2009;29:431.)
© 2009 American Heart Association, Inc.

History of Discovery

The LDL Receptor

Joseph L. Goldstein; Michael S. Brown

From the Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.

Correspondence to Joseph L. Goldstein or Michael S. Brown, Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390-9046. E-mail joe.goldstein{at}utsouthwestern.edu, mike.brown@utsouthwestern.edu

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.

Key Words: cholesterol • coronary heart disease • familial hypercholesterolemia • receptor-mediated endocytosis

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B. Ortiz, L. Wassef, E. Shabrova, L. Cordeddu, S. Banni, and L. Quadro Hepatic retinol secretion and storage are altered by dietary CLA: common and distinct actions of CLA c9,t11 and t10,c12 isomers J. Lipid Res., November 1, 2009; 50(11): 2278 - 2289. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. C. Chan, G. Lambert, P. H. R. Barrett, K.-A. Rye, E. M.M. Ooi, and G. F. Watts Plasma Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9: A Marker of LDL Apolipoprotein B-100 Catabolism? Clin. Chem., November 1, 2009; 55(11): 2049 - 2052. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]