Description
Cholesterol esterase (CE) is a reversible enzyme that can hydrolyze or synthesize fatty acid esters of cholesterol and other sterols. Hydrolysis of water insoluble long chain fatty acid esters requires bile salt activation. Hydrolysis of water soluble esters of short chain fatty acids and lysophospholipids does not require activation by bile salts. It also hydrolyzes tri-, di-, and mono-acylglycerols, phospholipids, lysophospholipids, and ceramide. This monomeric glycoprotein may have multiple functions in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, as well as in atherosclerosis