A new low density lipoprotein receptor belated protein, LRP5, is expressedin hepatocytes and adrenal cortex, and recognizes apolipoprotein E

The isolation and characterization of rabbit and human cDNAs revealed a new low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR)-related protein (LRP) designated a s LRP5, Human LRP5 cDNA encodes a 1,616-amino acid type I membrane-like pro tein with three ligand binding repeats in its extracellular region. LDLR-de ficient cells transduced by recombinant adenovirus containing human LRP5 ex hibited increased binding of apolipoprotein E (apoE)-enriched p-migrating v ery low density lipoprotein, Northern blotting and in situ hybridization re vealed a high level of LRP5 expression in hepatocytes and the adrenal gland cortex. In LDLR-deficient Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits, LBP5 mRNA was increased in the liver and accumulated in cholesterol-laden foam c ells of atherosclerotic lesions.