High molecular weight yolk precursor protein (from lat. vitellum = yolk), which is formed in the animal kingdom by animals with yolk rich eggs (yolk) under the influence of oestrogen in the liver. Vitellogenin is a building block for lipoproteins and phosphoproteins, which the later embryo metabolises. In egg-laying invertebrates and wibrous animals, vitellogenesis involves the introduction of vitellogenin into the individual cell and its cleavage by the enzyme cathepsin.
Vitellogenin
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Homologues of vitellogenin are used in animals and humans as transport proteins for triglycerides in the blood. The human apolipoprotein B-100 is homologous to vitellogenin. It is the only ligand of the LDL receptor. > 80 mutations in the coding APOB gene have been described so far. They cause familial hypobetalipoproteinemia (FHBL) with disorders of cllesterol metabolism and a slightly to moderately increased risk of CHD.
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- Tian X et al (2010) What makes an egg unique? Clues from evolutionary scenarios of egg-specific genes. Biol Reprod 83:893-900.
- Westley B (1979) The relationship of the estrogen receptor to the induction of vitellogenin in chicken and Xenopus liver. Differentiation 15: 67-72.