Description
The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the angiopoietin-like family of secreted factors. It is predominantly expressed in the liver, and has the characteristic structure of angiopoietins, consisting of a signal peptide, N-terminal coiled-coil domain and the C-terminal fibrinogen (FBN)-like domain. The FBN-like domain in angiopoietin-like 3 protein was shown to bind alpha-5/beta-3 integrins, and this binding induced endothelial cell adhesion and migration. This protein may also play a role in the regulation of angiogenesis. Angptl3 also acts as dual inhibitor of LPL and EL, and increases plasma triglyceride and HDL cholesterol in rodents. ANGPTL3 inhibit endothelial lipase to catalyze HDL-phospholipid and increase HDL-PL levels. Circulating PL-riched HDL particles have high cholesterol efflux abilities. In human, ANGPTL3 is a determinant factor of HDL level and positively correlates with plasma HDL cholesterol