Ezetimibe, a Selective Inhibitor of the Transport of Cholesterol

Abstract

Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1) has recently been identified and has been shown to have features of a plasma membrane transporter, including a secretion signal, 13 predicted transmembrane domains, extensive N-linked glycosylation sites and a sterol-sensing domain. It is highly expressed on the surface of absorptive jejunal enterocytes. NPC1L1 has been shown to be a direct target of ezetimibe, and an ezetimibe-sensitive pathway plays a role in intestinal cholesterol absorption. Ezetimibe-based therapy represents an exciting new area in the treatment of dyslipidemia.