Sterol-binding proteins and endosomal cholesterol transport

Endosomal compartments sort and deliver exogenous lipoprotein-derived cholesterol to the endoplasmic reticulum for regulating cellular cholesterol homeostasis.A large number of studies have focused on the removal of endosomal cholesterol,since its accumulation leads to devastating human diseases.Recent studies suggest that cytoplasmic sterol-binding proteins may be involved in endosomal cholesterol transport.In particular,endosome/lysosome-localized or-associated cholesterol-binding proteins may serve as key mediators of cholesterol removal in a non-vesicular manner.Further characterization of these cholesterol-binding proteins will shed light on the molecular mechanisms that regulate endosomal cholesterol sorting.