Correlation of Structural Stability with Functional Remodeling of High-Density Lipoproteins: The Importance of Being Disordered

High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) are protein−lipid assemblies that remove excess cell cholesterol and prevent atherosclerosis. HDLs are stabilized by kinetic barriers that decelerate protein dissociation and lipoprotein fusion. We propose that similar barriers modulate metabolic remodeling of plasma HDLs; hence, changes in particle composition that destabilize HDLs and accelerate their denaturation may accelerate their metabolic remodeling. To...