Differbetween
Cholesteryl ester, a dietary lipid, is an ester of cholesterol. The ester bond is formed between the carboxylate group of a fatty acid and the hydroxyl group of cholesterol. Cholesteryl esters have a lower solubility in water due to their increased hydrophobicity.
- Why is cholesterol converted to cholesteryl esters?
- Why are cholesterol esters less polar than free cholesterol?
- Where does cholesterol esterification occur?
- How are cholesterol esters formed?
- Which lipoprotein is the main carrier of cholesterol?
- How does reverse cholesterol transport work?
- Does cholesterol contain glycerol?
- What is free cholesterol?
- Is cholesterol ester polar or nonpolar?
- What are the difference between free and esterified cholesterol?
- Is cholesterol a lipid?
- Where is LCAT found?
Why is cholesterol converted to cholesteryl esters?
By converting cholesterol to cholesteryl esters more cholesterol can be packaged into the interior of lipoproteins. This vastly increases the capacity of lipoproteins, allowing for more efficient cholesterol transport through the blood stream.
Why are cholesterol esters less polar than free cholesterol?
5. Cholesterol Esters. Cholesterol esters, i.e. with long-chain fatty acids linked to the hydroxyl group, are much less polar than free cholesterol and appear to be the preferred form for transport in plasma and as a biologically inert storage or de-toxification form to buffer an excess.
Where does cholesterol esterification occur?
Lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) catalyzes the free cholesterol esterification reaction, which takes place mainly in HDL, thereby creating a gradient for unesterified cholesterol efflux from cells to HDL.
How are cholesterol esters formed?
Cholesterol esters are formed by acyl coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) enzymes that play a key regulatory role in intestinal cholesterol absorption and provide core lipid for packaging of chylomicrons and hepatic-derived lipoproteins.
Which lipoprotein is the main carrier of cholesterol?
LDL carries the majority of the cholesterol that is in the circulation. The predominant apolipoprotein is B-100 and each LDL particle contains one Apo B-100 molecule. LDL consists of a spectrum of particles varying in size and density.
How does reverse cholesterol transport work?
Reverse cholesterol transport is a mechanism by which the body removes excess cholesterol from peripheral tissues and delivers them to the liver, where it will be redistributed to other tissues or removed from the body by the gallbladder. The main lipoprotein involved in this process is the HDL-c.
Does cholesterol contain glycerol?
Dietary cholesterol is absorbed through the wall of the intestine and is packaged, along with triglyceride (glycerol ester-linked to three fatty acid chains), in chylomicrons.
What is free cholesterol?
Cholesterol is the precursor of all steroid hormones, cholesterol esters, and bile acids, and is a component of the plasma membrane of cells. Total cholesterol consists of free cholesterol and cholesterol esters. Serum cholesterol is derived from the diet and is synthesized in the liver.
Is cholesterol ester polar or nonpolar?
Cholesterol is very non-polar, except for the hydroxyl group attached to the first ring.
What are the difference between free and esterified cholesterol?
Cholesterol is present as unesterified (free) and esterified portions in the body fluids (1). Free cholesterol is biologically active and has cytotoxic effects whereas cholesteryl ester (CE) is protective form for storage in the cells and transporting in plasma (23).
Is cholesterol a lipid?
Cholesterol is a type of blood fat, and blood fats are known as lipids. Cholesterol and other lipids are carried in the blood attached to proteins, forming tiny spheres, or "parcels" known as lipoproteins. So, lipoproteins are lipids plus proteins.
Where is LCAT found?
LCAT is an enzyme synthesized mostly in the liver; it circulates in the plasma associated with HDL particles and, to a lesser extent, with LDL particles.
