Ligand-receptor interactions of the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein, a multiligand endocytic receptor

The low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) is a large membrane glycoprotein that is a member of the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor family of endocytic receptors. In contrast to the restricted ligand specificity of the LDL receptor, LRP can bind and internalize a remarkable spectrum of structurally-unrelated classes of ligands suggesting a role for the receptor in diverse physiological and patho-physiological processes ranging from lipoprotein metabolism, cell growth and cell migration to atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. In this review we will summarize the current insights in the biology of LRP and particularly focus on the recent progress in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that enable LRP to interact specifically with such a multitude of different ligands.