Abcam, ab236212, Cholesterol Uptake Assay Kit

Size: 1Kit
Cholesterol Uptake Assay Kit (ab236212) provides a convenient tool for studying cellular cholesterol trafficking.
Key facts
Detection method:Fluorescent,
Sample types:Suspension cells, Adherent cells,
Assay Platform:Microplate reader, Fluor. microscope, Flow cyt.

Product details:
Cholesterol Uptake Assay Kit (ab236212) provides a convenient tool for studying cellular cholesterol trafficking. The kit employs NBD Cholesterol, a fluorescently-tagged cholesterol, as a probe for the detection of cholesterol taken up by cultured cells. U-18666A, which increases cholesterol uptake by inhibiting trafficking of synthesized cholesterol, is included as a positive control. The kit provides enough NBD Cholesterol to test 250 samples in a 96-well format.
Other cholesterol assay kits include:
- HDL and LDL/VLDL Cholesterol assay kit
ab65390
- Cell-based Cholesterol assay kit
ab133116
- Cholesterol/Cholesterol Ester assay kit
ab65359
- Cholesterol Efflux assay kit
ab196985

Properties and Storage Information:
Shipped at conditions-Blue Ice, Appropriate short-term storage conditions-Multi, Appropriate long-term storage conditions-Multi, Storage information-Please refer to protocols

Supplementary Information:
This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.
Cholesterol Uptake also referred to as cholesterol absorption involves key proteins like Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1). NPC1L1 is an important mediator of cholesterol transport across the intestinal epithelial cells. The protein has an approximate molecular weight of 145 kDa and is primarily expressed in the epithelial cells of the small intestine and in the liver. Its expression is regulated by various factors including dietary cholesterol levels which influences how it mediates cholesterol uptake into cells.
Biological function summary
Cholesterol uptake plays a significant role in maintaining cellular cholesterol homeostasis. The process involves NPC1L1 working as part of a larger macromolecular complex with other proteins like clathrin and adaptor protein 2 (AP2) which facilitate endocytosis of cholesterol into enterocytes. These interactions occur in the brush border of the intestinal lumen allowing for cholesterol to be transported and re-esterified into chylomicrons which then enter lymphatic circulation.
Pathways
Cholesterol uptake is a critical component of cholesterol metabolism and homeostasis. It is specifically involved in the reverse cholesterol transport pathway which manages the movement of cholesterol from peripheral tissues back to the liver. Within this pathway NPC1L1 interacts with other proteins such as apolipoprotein B48 (ApoB48) to facilitate the formation of chylomicrons that transport cholesterol. Another pathway influenced by cholesterol uptake is the bile acid synthesis pathway where excess cholesterol is converted to bile acids.
Cholesterol uptake is connected to hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular disease. Altered function or expression of NPC1L1 can result in variations in cholesterol levels potentially leading to the buildup of cholesterol in the bloodstream. This accumulation is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis. Moreover inhibitors of NPC1L1 such as ezetimibe are used therapeutically to manage high cholesterol levels and prevent associated cardiovascular risks by decreasing intestinal cholesterol absorption.