abetalipoproteinemia (abl) is a very rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein gene (mttp). abl is characterized by lack of lipids and apolipoprotein b (apob) in plasma, fat malabsorption and various clinical manifestations. we describe a 12-month-old infant boy, born from consanguineous parents and presented with diarrhea, steatorrhea...

Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) is a heterodimeric protein that transfers neutral lipids between membranes in vitro. Absence of this lipid transfer activity in the microsomes of abetalipoproteinemia patients established its pivotal function in lipoprotein assembly. Recent studies indicate that the lipid transfer activity is involved in importing triglycerides into the lumen of th...

Secondary hyperlipidemia is a major cardiovascular risk factor in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Increased hepatic production of apolipoprotein B (apoB)-containing lipoproteins contributes to the elevated plasma levels, but the mechanism is poorly understood. Recent results have established that microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) is rate limiting for the assembly and secretion of...

Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) was first identified as a major cellular protein capable of transferring neutral lipids between membrane vesicles. Its role as an essential chaperone for the biosynthesis of apolipoprotein B (apoB)-containing triglyceride-rich lipoproteins was established after the realization that abetalipoproteinemia patients carry mutations in the MTTP gene resu...