StAR-related lipid transfer protein 10 (STARD10) or PCTP-like protein is a lipid transfer

protein Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, respon ...

that in humans is encoded by the ''STARD10''

gene In biology, the word gene (from , ; "... Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' or ''birth'' or ''gender'') can have several different meanings. The Mendelian gene is a b ...

. The protein derives its name from the fact that the molecule contains a

START domain START (StAR-related lipid-transfer) is a lipid-binding domain in StAR, HD-ZIP and signalling proteins. The archetypical domain is found in StAR (Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein), a mitochondrial protein that is synthesized in steroid-pro ...

. As part of the StarD2 subfamily, StarD10 can transport the lipids

phosphatidylcholine Phosphatidylcholines (PC) are a class of phospholipids that incorporate choline as a headgroup. They are a major component of biological membranes and can be easily obtained from a variety of readily available sources, such as egg yolk or so ...

and

phosphatidylethanolamine Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) is a class of phospholipids found in biological membranes. They are synthesized by the addition of cytidine diphosphate- ethanolamine to diglycerides, releasing cytidine monophosphate. ''S''-Adenosyl methionine ...

between membranes in solution.

Casein kinase II Casein ( , from Latin ''caseus'' "cheese") is a family of related phosphoproteins ( αS1, aS2, β, κ) that are commonly found in mammalian milk, comprising about 80% of the proteins in cow's milk and between 20% and 60% of the proteins in hum ...

phosphorylates the protein on its

serine Serine (symbol Ser or S) is an α-amino acid that is used in the biosynthesis of proteins. It contains an α- amino group (which is in the protonated − form under biological conditions), a carboxyl group (which is in the deprotonated − for ...

at position 184. The function of StarD10 in the cell is not yet understood. Its expression is associated with cancer, but the nature of its role is unclear. Most recent data indicate that loss of StarD10 expression in breast cancer is associated with poor outcomes in patients.

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