# To study the role of the low-density lipoprotein receptor on carotenoid biodistribution and excretion

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN · 2021 · $149,349

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Carotenoids are a diverse group of compounds responsible for the yellow-to-red colors in fruits and
vegetables. These compounds are widely considered to be among the most important bioactive
compounds in our food. Carotenoids can be divided in provitamin A carotenoids such as β-carotene, and
non-provitamin A carotenoids such as lutein.
While the role of carotenoids in the promotion of health and the prevention of disease in humans is
clear, little is known about the mechanisms that control the distribution and excretion of these
compounds. This gap in knowledge occurs, at least in part, due to the lack of reliable animal models to
study carotenoid accumulation that mimic human carotenoid physiology. For instance, the enzymes
responsible of carotenoid degradation, which are present in all mammals, are extremely active in mice
but not in humans, which leads to the accumulation of dietary carotenoids in our tissues, in contrast to
what occurs in mice. The only way to overcome this technical limitation is to rely on knockout mouse
models for β-carotene oxygenase 1 (BCO1), which cleaves β-carotene, and BCO2, which cleaves lutein
and other carotenoids.
In our parent R01, we aim to determine the role of β-carotene and vitamin A on atherosclerosis, and to
this end, we combined mice lacking BCO1 and the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). As a result,
these compound mice accumulate carotenoids and develop atherosclerosis due to the lack of BCO1 and
LDLR, respectively. We are in the process of generating compound mutants lacking BCO2 and LDLR, in
which we will be able to study the role of LDLR in lutein accumulation.
By using these two novel new mouse strains to single BCO1 and BCO2, we will study the role of LDLR in
(1) carotenoid biodistribution, and (2) intestinal elimination. Using state of the art methodologies to
quantify these compounds in tissues, plasma, and feces, we will establish the role of the LDLR in
carotenoid transport.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10329186
- **Project number:** 3R01HL147252-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
- **Principal Investigator:** Jaime Amengual Terrasa
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $149,349
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2019-03-01 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10329186

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10329186, To study the role of the low-density lipoprotein receptor on carotenoid biodistribution and excretion (3R01HL147252-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10329186. Licensed CC0.

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