ABCA1, ABCG1, and Cholesterol Homeostasis

Cholesterol is a major component of mammalian cell membranes and plays important structural and functional roles. However, excessive cholesterol accumulation is toxic to cells and constitutes the molecular basis for many diseases, especially atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Thus, cellular cholesterol is tightly regulated to maintain a homeostasis. Reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) is thought to be one primary pathway to eliminate excessive cholesterol from the body. The first and rate-limiting step of RCT is ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transports A1 (ABCA1)- and ABCG1-dependent cholesterol efflux. In the process, ABCA1 mediates initial transport of cellular cholesterol to apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) for forming nascent high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles, and ABCG1 facilitates subsequent continued cholesterol efflux to HDL for further maturation. In this chapter, we summarize the roles of ABCA1 and ABCG1 in maintaining cellular cholesterol homoeostasis and discuss the underlying mechanisms by which they mediate cholesterol export.