Spherical HDL binds membrane-associated free cholesterol and phospholipids Authored: D'Eustachio, P, 2008-05-12 17:46:52 Edited: D'Eustachio, P, 2008-06-13 14:03:50 Pubmed14559902 Reactome Database ID Release 43266299 Reactome, http://www.reactome.org ReactomeREACT_13674 Reviewed: Jassal, B, 2008-06-13 14:05:49 Spherical (mature) HDL particles can acquire additional molecules of free cholesterol and phospholipid from cell membranes. In the body, this is an important step in the so-called reverse cholesterol transport process in which excess cholesterol, notably in foam cells in atherosclerotic plaques, is transferred to HDL particles and transported ultimately to the liver. While studies in vitro and in mutant mice indicate that PLTP (phospholipid transfer protein) plays a major role in this process, its molecular details remain unclear (Oram et al. 2003). spherical HDL