Identification of proteins allowing other drugs to increase HDL levels in the body

Sydney: Researchers have identified a protein, called ORP2, responsible for transporting cholesterol to the inside of cells, which paves the way for new drugs to increase the body's "good cholesterol" levels. ORP2 can increase the amount of cholesterol in the cells, a process called efflux of cholesterol. We believe that this pathway will be very important for the development of a drug that will increase this good cholesterol, said Rob Yang, a professor at the University of New South Wales in Australia.

Until now, drugs including statins targeted bad cholesterol (LDL) by inhibiting its synthesis in the liver, with the goal of reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. However, while statins are effective in lowering LDL levels, they do not increase levels of good (HDL) cholesterol and there is no other drug in use that can significantly increase HDL levels. of the human body.

Up to 90% of a cell's cholesterol is at the plasma membrane level of the cell, said the study published in the journal Molecular Cell. "Knowledge of the molecules that deliver cholesterol to the plasma membrane is a big step forward, and transporting cholesterol to the plasma membrane is the key to HDL generation.

If such a drug could be developed, it would not replace statins, but would be used in a complementary way, one drug being used to reduce bad cholesterol and the other to increase levels of good, suggested Yang. Importantly, ORP2 could also be targeted to fight cancer.

The endemic and uncontrolled cell growth that characterizes cancer could be stopped by reducing the amount of cholesterol produced. ORP2 could offer a new line of strategic research and eventually succeed where the use of statins in this area has not, Yang noted.