Very Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor (VLDLR)

VLDLR is a lipoprotein receptor that shows considerable similarity to the low-density-lipoprotein receptor. This receptor has been suggested to be important for the metabolism of apoprotein-E-containing triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins, such as very-low-density-lipoprotein (VLDL), beta-migrating VLDL and intermediate-density lipoprotein. It is also one of the receptors of reelin, an extracellular matrix protein which regulates the processes of neuronal migration and synaptic plasticity.In rabbits, the mRNA for the VLDLR was found to be most abundant in heart, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue, but was not detectable in the liver. Human mRNA studies showed a very similar pattern of distribution. Hence, it has been suggested that the VLDLR might play an important role in the fatty acid metabolism of non-hepatic tissues.