MICROSOMAL TRIGLYCERIDE TRANSFER PROTEIN - A PROTEIN COMPLEX REQUIREDFOR THE ASSEMBLY OF LIPOPROTEIN PARTICLES

The mechanism of assembly of lipoprotein particles in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum is an important but poorly understood biologica l problem. A knowledge of this process is of great practical importanc e because possession of elevated levels of lipoproteins is one of the major risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis. This review describes a major advance in the delineation of the mechanisms involv ed in the assembly and secretion of apolipoprotein-B-containing lipopr oteins: the demonstration of a requirement for microsomal triglyceride transfer protein.