Scavenger receptor class B, member 1 (SCARB1), also known as CD36L1, is a member of the scavenger receptor family. SCARB1 is expressed primarily in liver and non placental steroidogenic tissues, and predominantly localized to cholesterol and sphingomyelin-enriched domains within the plasma membrane. SCARB1 is proposed as a receptor for different ligands such as phospholipids, cholesterol ester, lipoproteins, phosphatidylserine and apoptotic cells, and is involved in a wide variety of physilogical processes. As a key component in the reverse cholesterol transport pathway, SCARB1 binds high density lipoproteins (HDLs) and mediates selective cholesterol uptake by a mechanism distinct from the LDL pathway. High density lipoproteins (HDLs) play a critical role in cholesterol metabolism and their plasma concentrations are inversely correlated with risk for atherosclerosis. SCARB1 may thus serve as a useful marker that predicts variation in baseline lipid levels and postprandial lipid response. The mouse SCARB1 has been shown to exert actions in determining the levels of plasma lipoprotein cholesterol and the accumulation of cholesterol stores in the adrenal gland.

scavenger receptor class B, member 1