Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptors

Abstract

The origins of the receptor theory are based on the work of Paul Ehrlich (1854–1915) and John Newport Langley (1852–1925) (Parascandola 1981), who were the first to postulate that specific cellular reactions to drugs must be based on so-called receptive substances. Receptors are proteins that specifically bind and take up hormones, growth factors, transport proteins, viruses, and toxins. The understanding of the physiological effects that are caused by certain ligands depends to a considerable extent on knowledge of where the target cells are located and how they interact with their ligands. In Chap. 4 of this book, M. Dietel reviews the different locations of cell receptors with special reference to morphological and biochemical aspects. This chapter focuses on specific receptors for low-density lipoproteins (LDL).