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Description

Phosphatidylcholine transfer protein (PCTP), also known as PC-TP, START domain-containing protein 2, StARD2, StAR-related lipid transfer protein 2, and encoded by the gene symbol PCTP/ STARD2, belongs to the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein related transfer (START) domain superfamily of hydrophobic ligand-binding proteins. PCTP has been shown to play an important role in the transfer of phosphatidylcholine between membranes. The crystal structures of human PC-TP in complex with dilinoleoyl-PtdCho or palmitoyl-linoleoyl-PtdCho suggests that a single well-ordered PtdCho molecule occupies a centrally located tunnel. These structures have provided a basis for rationalizing the specificity of PC-TP for PtdCho and may identify common features used by START proteins to bind their hydrophobic ligands. Additionally, PCTP has been demonstrated to interact with ACOT13/THEM2. PCTP is located in the cytoplasm with highest expression in liver, placenta, testis, kidney and heart. Low levels of PCTP are expressed in brain and lung.