In: Biology
Draw and describe in detail how LDL enters a cell and is eventually broken down into free cholesterol molecules.
LDL containing cholesteryl ester binds via ApoB protein to LDL receptor on clathrin-coated pit. These pits are then bud into clathrin-coated vesicle engulfing LDL particle into the cell. Upon entering the cytosol, this clathrin-coated vesicle binds to endosome releasing the clathrin triskelions. This endosome has the pH of approximately 5 which releases LDL receptors as a membrane-bound body. This LDL receptor is then recycled at the plasma membrane. The endosome is then joined by lysosome forming lysoendosome which cleaves the LDL into raw materials like amino acids of ApoB protein and fatty acids and free cholesterol into the cytosol. This cholesterol is stored as droplets inside the endoplasmic reticulum.