MechanismsLandmark
Landmark 1978 paper reports the original isolation of the human cholesteryl ester transfer protein itself (Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1978)
Original title: Isolation and characterization of a human serum cholesteryl ester transfer protein
Human plasma was shown to contain an apolipoprotein that mediates transport of cholesteryl ester from HDL to VLDL or LDL, with the activity confined to the density-greater-than-1.063 g/ml interval and isolated from HDL as a single migrating species on anionic or SDS/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, unreactive to antibodies against the major HDL apolipoproteins. Antibodies raised against this factor and immobilized on Sepharose removed the capacity of HDL, density-greater-than-1.21 g/ml fractions, and whole plasma to transport cholesteryl ester from HDL. The transport system showed saturation kinetics with respect to plasma LDL and VLDL concentration, and cholesteryl ester transport was accompanied by reciprocal, equimolar back-transport of triglyceride from VLDL and LDL to HDL. The authors discuss a possible relationship between this newly isolated apoprotein and apoprotein D, marking the original isolation and characterization of what would become known as cholesteryl ester transfer protein.
Original abstract
Human plasma has been shown to contain an apolipoprotein that mediates the transport of cholesteryl ester from high density lipoprotein (HDL) to very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) or low density lipoprotein (LDL). This activity, confined to the density greater than 1.063 g/ml interval, has been isolated from HDL and appears as a single migrating species by anionic or sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. It is unreactive to antibodies to the major HDL apolipoproteins. Antibodies prepared against this factor and immobilized on Sepharose remove the capacity of HDL and density greater than 1.21 g/ml fractions as well as whole plasma to transport cholesteryl ester from HDL. The system shows saturation kinetics with respect to plasma LDL and VLDL concentrations, and transport of cholesteryl ester was associated with reciprocal and equimolar back-transport of triglyceride from VLDL and LDL to the HDL fraction. The possible relationship of this apoprotein to apoprotein D is discussed.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 18 August 2026. Methods.