| abstract |
SR-BI is present on the membranes of hepatocytes and steroidogenic tissues, including the adrenal gland, testes, and ovaries, where it mediates the uptake and transport of cholesteryl ester from high density lipoproteins. It has been demonstrated that transgenic animals which do not produce SR-BI are perfectly healthy, with the exception that the females are infertile. This provides evidence that inhibition of uptake, binding or transport of cholesteryl ester to SR-BI can be used to inhibit pregnancy. The same pathway can also be used to decrease production of steroids, and therefore be used as a therapy for disorders involving steroidal overproduction. |