StAR-related lipid transfer protein 6 (STARD6)

StAR-related lipid transfer protein 6 (STARD6) is a member of the START (StAR-related lipid transfer) domain-containing protein family, which are evolutionarily conserved proteins involved in the non-vesicular, intracellular transport of lipids, such as sterols (including cholesterol and steroid hormones)[3][4]. STARD6 adopts an α/β helix-grip fold structure and specifically binds C19 and C21 steroids, including testosterone[1][3]. It is primarily expressed in testicular germ cells, suggesting a specialized role in spermatogenesis and germ cell maturation[2]. While implicated as a transport and binding protein for critical lipids and steroids in cells, its detailed physiological functions and endogenous ligands are still an active area of research, and there are no known drugs that directly modulate its activity[4][7].

Other names

StAR-related lipid transfer domain containing 6START domain-containing protein 6StARD6START domain containing 6StAR-related lipid transfer (START) domain containing 6STAR6_HUMAN (UniProt symbol)