Description

Low-density lipoprotein (also known as LDL or bad cholesterol) is the a central figure in cardiovascular disease. If it is not promptly cleared from the blood by its receptor (low-density lipoprotein receptor), it can deposit in arterial walls as atherosclerotic plaque. Drugs that increase receptors lower LDL in the blood. Apolipoprotein B100 is the primary protein on LDL; it is embedded in a surface of phospholipids and wraps around a core of neutral lipids like triglycerides and cholesterol esters. The receptor has two binding-sites on apolipoprotein B100 so that two receptors bind to two LDL.