Despite the physiologic importance of vitamin E, in particular its α-tocopherol (α-T) isoform,
the molecular mechanisms involved in the cellular uptake of this antioxidant from plasma
lipoproteins have not been well-defined. Recent studies have suggested that selective lipid
uptake, rather than endocytosis, is important for α-T delivery to cells. Here we show that the
scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI), which mediates cellular selective cholesteryl ester
uptake from lipoproteins, facilitates efficient transfer of α-T from HDL to cultured cells. In SR …