微粒体甘油三脂转运蛋白MTP的结构和功能研究概况

微粒体甘油三酯转运蛋白MTP(microsomal triglyceride transfer protein,MTP)首先是从牛的肝细胞微粒体碎片中分离获得的,其作用是加速甘油三脂(triglyceride,TG)、胆固醇(cholesteryl ester,CE)和磷脂酰胆碱(phosphatidylcholine,PC)的转运和细胞或亚细胞膜的生物合成。它后来在肝细胞和小肠的微粒体膜中发现[1],由于它的位置及其转运TG可以推测与血浆脂蛋白中极低密度脂蛋白(very low density lipoprotein,VLDL)和乳糜微粒(chylomicrons,CM)的组装过程有关。     

非酒精性脂肪性肝病与MTP关系的实验研究

目的：探讨非酒精性脂肪性肝病( Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, NAFLD)与微粒体甘油三酯转运蛋白(microsomal triglyceridetransfer protein,MTP）的关系。方法：将雄性Wistar 大鼠60只随机分为正常对照组（A 组）、高脂组（B 组）和MTP 抑制剂组（C 组）,每组各20 只。B 组、C组给予高脂饲料喂养,8 周后确认非酒精性脂肪肝建模成功,C组大鼠给予混有特异性小肠MTP抑制 剂JTT-130 的高脂饲料喂养,B 组大鼠建模过程始终喂养高脂饲料,A 组大鼠喂养普通饲料。于第12周,分别测定大鼠血清甘油 三酯(triglyceride,TG)、总胆固醇(total cholesterol,TC)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(high density lipoprotein-cholesterol,HDL-c)含量,以及 肝脏TC、TG、磷脂含量。同时测定肝脏中微粒体甘油三酯转运蛋白(MTP) 的活性与mRNA 表达量。结果：与正常对照组（A组）相 比,高脂组（B组）大鼠血清TC、TG、HDL-c 浓度和肝脏TC、TG含量明显提高（P＜0.05）,MTP 活性及mRNA 水平明显下调（P＜ 0.05）。与高脂组（B 组）比较,MTP 抑制剂组（C 组）大鼠血清TC、TG、HDL-c 浓度和肝脏TC、TG 含量明显下降（P＜0.05）,而 MTP 活性及mRNA 表达量比较无明显差别（P＞0.05）。结论：非酒精性脂肪性肝病存在MTP表达下调,特异性小肠MTP 抑制剂 JTT-130 可以有效抑制肠道对TG的转运,不影响肝脏TG分泌,并在降低高脂大鼠血浆TG和胆固醇水平的同时也降低肝脏TG 含量。     

苏子油对肥胖大鼠肝脏极低密度脂蛋白合成关键基因表达的影响

目的探究富含n-3多不饱和脂肪酸(polyunsaturated fatty acid,PUFA)的苏子油高脂饮食对肥胖大鼠肝脏极低密度脂蛋白(very low density lipoproteins,VLDL)合成关键基因表达的影响。方法造模期:雄性SD大鼠随机分为2组,对照组(normal control group,NC)给予普通日粮,高脂组(high fat group,HF)给予高脂纯合日粮诱发肥胖大鼠模型;干预期:将肥胖大鼠随机分为4组:持续高脂组(consistent high fat group,CHF)和三个苏子油(perilla oil,PO)替代组,根据PO替代CHF中猪油比例的不同将替代组分为20%PO、50%PO、100%PO,4周后测定大鼠血清甘油三酯(tryglyceride,TG)水平;western blotting方法检测肝脏VLDL合成关键蛋白微粒体甘油三脂转运蛋白(microsomal triglyceride transfer protein,MTP)和载脂蛋白B(apolipoprotein B,APOB)蛋白表达;real-time PCR方法检测肝脏Mtp、Apob mRNA表达。结果肥胖大鼠血清TG水平显著高于NC组,并且有严重的脂肪沉积,肝脏MTP和APOB的mRNA、蛋白表达均有不同程度的降低;干预4周后,与CHF组相比,各PO替代组大鼠血清TG水平明显降低,病理切片结果显示肝脏脂肪沉积有明显改善,并且肝脏MTP和APOB的mRNA、蛋白表达均有不同程度的升高。结论不同比例PO替代均能促进肥胖大鼠肝脏VLDL合成与分泌,改善肝脏脂肪沉积,并且PO促进Mtp mRNA、蛋白表达具有剂量依赖性。     

FoxO1 对肝脏脂代谢的影响

Fox O1是叉头转录家族O亚族的一员,因其对胰岛素作用起重要的调控作用而被人所熟知,越来越多的研究表明,Fox O1对于肝脏脂质代谢也起重要的调控作用,其作用机制可能是通过上调微粒体甘油三酯转运蛋白(MTP)、载脂蛋白B(Apo B)的表达,从而促进极低密度脂蛋白(VLDL)在肝脏中的合成,增加循环中VLDL含量;Fox O1还可通过促进载脂蛋白CⅢ(Apo CⅢ)的表达,进而抑制脂蛋白酯酶(LPL)活性,减少循环中甘油三酯(TG)分解,导致高甘油三脂血症的发生;同时,Fox O1还能抑制固醇调节元件结合蛋白SREBP-1c表达,抑制脂肪合成。本文主要通过以上几个方面概述了Fox O1与肝脏脂代谢的影响。     

PI3K/Akt 及其靶蛋白FOXO1 与非酒精性脂肪性肝病

FOXO转录因子是Forkhead蛋白大家族的一个亚群,在人类的4个同源基因中包括FoxO1、FoxO2、FoxO3a和FoxO4。FoxO蛋白质通过丝氨酸或苏氨酸以及赖氨酸残基的磷酸化和乙酰化等后转录修饰后而发挥作用。其中Foxo1是含有高度保守DNA结合位点的核转录蛋白,其主要功能是磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶(PI3K)/蛋白激酶B(Akt)的底物,在胰岛素信号转导中起负性调节作用,Foxo1通过介导胰岛素依赖性微粒体甘油三酯转运蛋白(MTP)的表达,影响肝脏装配和分泌极低密度脂蛋白(VLDL),维持脂代谢稳定。在胰岛素抵抗和脂肪肝状态下,肝细胞核内Foxo1表达明显升高,引起高甘油三酯血症和脂肪肝。有针对性的干预PI3K/Akt及Foxo1的表达,可能从分子机制上为非酒精性脂肪肝的防治提供广阔前景。     

两种抗雌激素药物对雌性斑马鱼脂肪代谢的影响

为探究雌激素对雌鱼体内脂肪代谢的影响,研究分别使用50和250 μg/L的来曲唑（Letrozole、LET）与他莫昔芬（Tamoxifen、TAM）两种抗雌激素药物,构建了雌性斑马鱼（Danio rerio）雌激素缺乏模型和雌激素受体竞争抑制模型,并检测两种药物处理后斑马鱼肝脏、内脏和肌肉的甘油三酯（TG）含量变化以及肝脏内雌激素和脂肪代谢相关基因的变化。结果显示,低浓度LET处理后雌鱼肝脏和内脏TG显著上升（P < 0.05）;高浓度TAM处理后肝脏TG含量显著降低（P < 0.05）,其他各组处理TG均无差异。基因mRNA检测结果表明,两种浓度LET和TAM处理的雌性斑马鱼芳香化酶（CYP19A）表达均显著下调（P < 0.05）,低浓度TAM暴露导致雌激素受体（ERα）表达显著下调（P < 0.05）。此外,两种浓度LET处理均引起了脂肪酸合成酶（FAS）表达显著上调,微粒体的TG转运蛋白（MTP）表达显著下调（P < 0.05）;低浓度TAM引起了MTP表达显著下调（P < 0.05）,而高浓度TAM组则引起了MTP表达显著上调（P < 0.05）。综合各相关指标,研究结果表明雌激素确实在雌性斑马鱼脂肪代谢中发挥作用,然而不同程度和方式的雌激素抑制会导致不同的脂代谢失调表现,这提示鱼体内雌激素紊乱所导致的脂代谢失调与雌激素浓度和作用通路上的受阻位点有关,并受到多重因子参与的内分泌调控网络的调节。     

微粒体甘油三酯转移蛋白基因-164T/C基因多态性与非酒精性脂肪肝的关联性研究

目的:探讨微粒体甘油三酯转移蛋白(Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein,MTP)MTP基因启动子区164T/C单核苷酸多态性与(Single nucleotide polymorphism,SNP)与非酒精性脂肪肝(Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,NAFLD)的相关性.方法:严格按照诊断标准收集NAFLD患者156例,随机选择健康体检者125例作为对照组,应用聚合酶链反应-限制性酶切片段长度多态性(Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism,PCR-RFLP)技术对受试者进行基因分型.采用SPSS11.5软件分析各位点基因型、等位基因频率及组间差异.结果:病例组和对照组均检测到MTP基因-164T/C位点TT、TC和CC 3种基因型;MTP基因-164T/C位点的基因型及等位基因频率分布在病例和对照组中差别有统计学意义(P<0.05),NAFLD组等位基因C频率显著高于对照组(P<0.01).结论:MTP基因启动子区164T/C位点多态性可能与非酒精性脂肪肝有关.携带有等位基因C的个体可能更容易患非酒精性脂肪肝.     

P13K／Akt及其靶蛋白FOXO1与非酒精性脂肪性肝病

FOXO转录因子是Forkhead蛋白大家族的一个亚群,在人类的4个同源基因中包括Fox01、Fox02、Fox03a和Fox04。FoxO蛋白质通过丝氨酸或苏氨酸以及赖氨酸残基的磷酸化和乙酰化等后转录修饰后而发挥作用。其中Foxol是含有高度保守DNA结合位点的核转录蛋白,其主要功能是磷脂酰肌醇3。激酶（P13K）／蛋白激酶B（Ala）的底物,在胰岛素信号转导中起负性调节作用,Foxol通过介导胰岛素依赖性微粒体甘油三酯转运蛋白（MTP）的表达,影响肝脏装配和分泌极低密度脂蛋白（VLDL）,维持脂代谢稳定。在胰岛素抵抗和脂肪肝状态下,肝细胞核内Foxol表达明显升高,引起高甘油三酯血症和脂肪肝。有针对性的干预P13姒啵t及Foxol的表达,可能从分子机制上为非酒精性脂肪肝的防治提供广阔前景。     

脂肪酸诱导胰岛β细胞凋亡过程中FoxO1对MTP的转录调控研究

目的研究微粒体甘油三酯转移蛋白MTP在脂肪酸诱导的胰岛B细胞凋亡过程中,转录水平受FoxO1调控的情况。方法脂肪酸处理胰岛8细胞系MIN6细胞,MTF和Hoechst染色检测细胞活力和凋亡情况;ReahimePCR检测MTP相对表达量;染色质免疫共沉淀技术检验FoxO1与肘即启动子区的结合情况;荧光素酶报告基因系统检测Fox01对MTP的转录调控情况。结果脂肪酸处理引起MIN6细胞活力下降、凋亡增加,使MIN6细胞中MTP mRNA水平上升;糖尿病模型小鼠胰岛中MTPmRNA水平上升;转录因子FoxO1的过表达可上调MTP的转录活性;ChIP—PCR结果显示FoxO1能与MZP的启动子区相结合。结论MTP在脂肪酸诱导胰岛B细胞凋亡的过程中,作为转录因子FoxO1的下游靶基因,转录水平受到FoxO1的调控。     

磷脂转运蛋白的研究

磷脂转运蛋白（ｐｈｏｓｐｈｏｌｉｐｉｄｔｒａｎｓｆｅｒｐｒｏｔｅｉｎ，ＰＬＴＰ）最初发现于线粒体和微粒体膜内，它具有促进肝脏可溶性物质交换和运输的作用，其后发现它对磷脂有较强的结合能力。现已在不同的物种如细菌、植物、动物和人体内分离出十几种磷脂转运蛋...     

Hepatic overexpression of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) results in increased in vivo secretion of VLDL triglycerides and apolipoprotein B.

The microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) is essential for the hepatic secretion of apolipoprotein (apo) B-containing lipoproteins. Previous studies have indicated that inhibition of MTP results in decreased apoB plasma levels and decreased hepatic triglyceride secretion. However, the metabolic effects of overexpression of MTP have not been investigated. We constructed a recombinant adenovirus expressing MTP (AdhMTP) and used it to assess the effects of hepatic overexpression of MTP in mice. Injection of AdhMTP into C57BL/6 mice resulted in a 3-fold increase in hepatic microsomal triglyceride transfer activity compared to mice injected with Adnull. On day 4 after virus injection, AdhMTP-injected mice had significantly elevated plasma TG levels as compared to control virus (Adnull)-injected mice. Hepatic TG secretion rates were significantly greater in AdhMTP-injected mice (184 +/- 12 mg/kg/h) compared with Adnull-injected mice (65 +/- 9 mg/kg/h, P < 0.001). In addition, hepatic very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) apoB secretion in the AdhMTP-injected group was 74% higher than in the control virus group. Hepatic secretion of apoB-48 and apoB-100 contributed equally to this increase.These results provide the first data that hepatic overexpression of MTP results in increased secretion of VLDL-triglycerides as well as VLDL-apoB in vivo. These results suggest that MTP is rate-limiting for VLDL apoB secretion in wild-type mice under basal chow-fed conditions.     

Microsomal triacylglycerol transfer protein is required for lumenal accretion of triacylglycerol not associated with ApoB,as well as for ApoB lipidation

The assembly of very low density lipoproteins in hepatocytes requires the microsomal triacylglycerol transfer protein (MTP). This microsomal lumenal protein transfers lipids, particularly triacylglycerols (TG), between membranes in vitro and has been proposed to transfer TG to nascent apolipoprotein (apo) B in vivo. We examined the role of MTP in the assembly of apoB-containing lipoproteins in cultured murine primary hepatocytes using an inhibitor of MTP. The MTP inhibitor reduced TG secretion from hepatocytes by 85% and decreased the amount of apoB100 in the microsomal lumen, as well as that secreted into the medium, by 70 and 90%, respectively, whereas the secretion of apoB48 was only slightly decreased and the amount of lumenal apoB48 was unaffected. However, apoB48-containing particles formed in the presence of inhibitor were lipid-poor compared with those produced in the absence of inhibitor. We also isolated a pool of apoB-free TG from the microsomal lumen and showed that inhibition of MTP decreased the amount of TG in this pool by approximately 45%. The pool of TG associated with apoB was similarly reduced. However, inhibition of MTP did not directly block TG transfer from the apoB-independent TG pool to partially lipidated apoB in the microsomal lumen. We conclude that MTP is required for TG accumulation in the microsomal lumen and as a source of TG for assembly with apoB, but normal levels of MTP are not required for transferring the bulk of TG to apoB during VLDL assembly in murine hepatocytes.     

Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein expression in adipocytes: a new component in fat metabolism

Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) is a carrier of triglyceride essential for the assembly of apolipoprotein (apo)B-containing lipoproteins by the liver and the small intestine. Its role in triglyceride transfer in tissues that do not secrete lipoproteins has not been explored. In particular, MTP would seem to be a candidate for a role in triglyceride metabolism within the adipocyte. To test this hypothesis, we probed adipocytes for the presence of MTP. Immunohistochemical and biochemical studies demonstrate MTP in adipocytes from brown and white fat depots of mice and human, as well as in 3T3-L1 cells. Confocal microscopy revealed MTP throughout 3T3 cells; however, MTP fluorescence was prominent in juxtanuclear areas. In differentiated 3T3 cells MTP fluorescence was very striking around lipid droplets. In vitro lipid transfer assays demonstrated the presence of triglyceride transfer activity within microsomal fractions isolated from rat adipose tissue. In addition, quantitative rtPCR studies showed that MTP expression in mouse white fat depots was approximately 1% of MTP expression in mouse liver. MTP mRNA in differentiated 3T3 cells was approximately 13% of liver expression. Our results provide unequivocal evidence for the presence of MTP in adipocytes and present new possibilities for defining the mechanisms by which triglyceride is stored and/or hydrolyzed and mobilized.     

Reduction of VLDL Secretion Decreases Cholesterol Excretion in Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 Hepatic Transgenic Mice

An effective way to reduce LDL cholesterol, the primary risk factor of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, is to increase cholesterol excretion from the body. Our group and others have recently found that cholesterol excretion can be facilitated by both hepatobiliary and transintestinal pathways. However, the lipoprotein that moves cholesterol through the plasma to the small intestine for transintestinal cholesterol efflux (TICE) is unknown. To test the hypothesis that hepatic very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) support TICE, antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) were used to knockdown hepatic expression of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP), which is necessary for VLDL assembly. While maintained on a high cholesterol diet, Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 hepatic transgenic (L1Tg) mice, which predominantly excrete cholesterol via TICE, and wild type (WT) littermates were treated with control ASO or MTP ASO. In both WT and L1Tg mice, MTP ASO decreased VLDL triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol secretion. Regardless of treatment, L1Tg mice had reduced biliary cholesterol compared to WT mice. However, only L1Tg mice treated with MTP ASO had reduced fecal cholesterol excretion. Based upon these findings, we conclude that VLDL or a byproduct such as LDL can move cholesterol from the liver to the small intestine for TICE.     

Evolution and mechanism of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoprotein assembly

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Apolipoprotein B-containing lipoprotein assembly and secretion is critical for lipid absorption and triglyceride homeostasis, and plays a role in atherogenesis and the pathobiology of type 2 diabetes and obesity. This review highlights recent insights into the evolutionary, structural, and cell biology of hepatic and intestinal pathways for lipid mobilization, and the mechanisms and regulation of lipoprotein assembly and secretion. RECENT FINDINGS: Until recently it was assumed that microsomal triglyceride transfer protein-dependent apolipoprotein B-containing lipoprotein assembly was a unique adaptation associated with vertebrate lipid homeostasis. However, it is now clear that microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) exists in species whose last common ancestor diverged over 550 million years ago. In its long evolutionary history, the MTP gene has given rise to a series of paralogous lipid transport proteins, all of which require MTP for their biogenesis. During its evolution, MTP has acquired new functions, enabling it to participate in a disparate array of lipid mobilization and transport pathways, ranging from primitive lipoprotein assembly to antigenic lipid presentation. In addition to the complex and multifunctional role of MTP in apolipoprotein B assembly, other factors responsible for the generation of secretion-coupled lipids and the modulation of apolipoprotein B production are emerging. SUMMARY: The phylogenic dissection of MTP and apolipoprotein B function, coupled with ongoing structural and biochemical analyses, provide significant insights into the mechanisms of lipid mobilization and secretion. Some of these factors and processes may be targeted therapeutically to modulate the quantitative and qualitative aspects of apolipoprotein B production.     

The late addition of core lipids to nascent apolipoprotein B100, resulting in the assembly and secretion of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, is independent of both microsomal triglyceride transfer protein activity and new triglyceride synthesis.

Although microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) and newly synthesized triglyceride (TG) are critical for co-translational targeting of apolipoprotein B (apoB100) to lipoprotein assembly in hepatoma cell lines, their roles in the later stages of lipoprotein assembly remain unclear. Using N-acetyl-Leu-Leu-norleucinal to prevent proteasomal degradation, HepG2 cells were radiolabeled and chased for 0-90 min (chase I). The medium was changed and cells chased for another 150 min (chase II) in the absence (control) or presence of Pfizer MTP inhibitor CP-10447 (CP). As chase I was extended, inhibition of apoB100 secretion by CP during chase II decreased from 75.9% to only 15% of control (no CP during chase II). Additional studies were conducted in which chase I was either 0 or 90 min, and chase II was in the presence of [(3)H]glycerol and either BSA (control), CP (inhibits both MTP activity and TG synthesis),BMS-1976360-1) (BMS) (inhibits only MTP activity), or triacsin C (TC) (inhibits only TG synthesis). When chase I was 0 min, CP, BMS, and TC reduced apoB100 secretion during chase II by 75.3, 73.9, and 53.9%. However, when chase I was 90 min, those agents reduced apoB100 secretion during chase II by only 16.0, 19.2, and 13.9%. Of note, all three inhibited secretion of newly synthesized TG during chase II by 80, 80, and 40%, whether chase I was 0 or 90 min. In both HepG2 cells and McA-RH7777 cells, if chase I was at least 60 min, inhibition of TG synthesis and/or MTP activity did not affect the density of secreted apoB100-lipoproteins under basal conditions. Oleic acid increased secretion of TG-enriched apoB100-lipoproteins similarly in the absence or presence of either of CP, BMS, or TC. We conclude that neither MTP nor newly synthesized TG is necessary for the later stages of apoB100-lipoprotein assembly and secretion in either HepG2 or McA-RH7777 cells.     

The activity of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein is essential for accumulation of triglyceride within microsomes in McA-RH7777 cells. A unified model for the assembly of very low density lipoproteins.

Previously, based on distinct requirement of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) and kinetics of triglyceride (TG) utilization, we concluded that assembly of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) containing B48 or B100 was achieved through different paths (Wang, Y. , McLeod, R. S., and Yao, Z. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 12272-12278). To test if the apparent dual mechanisms were accounted for by apolipoprotein B (apoB) length, we studied VLDL assembly using transfected cells expressing various apoB forms (e.g. B64, B72, B80, and B100). For each apoB, enlargement of lipoprotein to form VLDL via bulk TG incorporation was induced by exogenous oleate, which could be blocked by MTP inhibitor BMS-197636 treatment. While particle enlargement was readily demonstrable by density ultracentrifugation for B64- and B72-VLDL, it was not obvious for B80- and B100-VLDL unless the VLDL was further resolved by cumulative rate flotation into VLDL(1) (S(f) > 100) and VLDL(2) (S(f) 20-100). BMS-197636 diminished B100 secretion in a dose-dependent manner (0.05-0.5 microM) and also blocked the particle enlargement from small to large B100-lipoproteins. These results yield a unified model that can accommodate VLDL assembly with all apoB forms, which invalidates our previous conclusion. To gain a better understanding of the MTP action, we examined the effect of BMS-197636 on lipid and apoB synthesis during VLDL assembly. While BMS-197636 (0.2 microM) entirely abolished B100-VLDL(1) assembly/secretion, it did not affect B100 translation or translocation across the microsomal membrane, nor did it affect TG synthesis and cell TG mass. However, BMS-197636 drastically decreased accumulation of [(3)H]glycerol-labeled TG and TG mass within microsomal lumen. The decreased TG accumulation was not a result of impaired B100-VLDL assembly, because in cells treated with brefeldin A (0.2 microgram/ml), the assembly of B100-VLDL was blocked yet lumenal TG accumulation was normal. Thus, MTP plays a role in facilitating accumulation of TG within microsomes, a prerequisite for the post-translational assembly of TG-enriched VLDL.     

Intestine-specific MTP and global ACAT2 deficiency lowers acute cholesterol absorption with chylomicrons and HDLs

Intestinal cholesterol absorption involves the chylomicron and HDL pathways and is dependent on microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) and ABCA1, respectively. Chylomicrons transport free and esterified cholesterol, whereas HDLs transport free cholesterol. ACAT2 esterifies cholesterol for secretion with chylomicrons. We hypothesized that free cholesterol accumulated during ACAT2 deficiency may be secreted with HDLs when chylomicron assembly is blocked. To test this, we studied cholesterol absorption in mice deficient in intestinal MTP, global ACAT2, and both intestinal MTP and global ACAT2. Intestinal MTP ablation significantly increased intestinal triglyceride and cholesterol levels and reduced their transport with chylomicrons. In contrast, global ACAT2 deficiency had no effect on triglyceride absorption but significantly reduced cholesterol absorption with chylomicrons and increased cellular free cholesterol. Their combined deficiency reduced cholesterol secretion with both chylomicrons and HDLs. Thus, contrary to our hypothesis, free cholesterol accumulated in the absence of MTP and ACAT2 is unavailable for secretion with HDLs. Global ACAT2 deficiency causes mild hypertriglyceridemia and reduces hepatosteatosis in mice fed high cholesterol diets by increasing hepatic lipoprotein production by unknown mechanisms. We show that this phenotype is preserved in the absence of intestinal MTP in global ACAT2-deficient mice fed a Western diet. Further, we observed increases in hepatic MTP activity in these mice. Thus, ACAT2 deficiency might increase MTP expression to avoid hepatosteatosis in cholesterol-fed animals. Therefore, ACAT2 inhibition might avert hepatosteatosis associated with high cholesterol diets by increasing hepatic MTP expression and lipoprotein production.