(5)Another way is preventing the lipid-binding protein from accessing a lipid in the membrane. This two mechanisms are not mutually exclusive so ORPs might use both. OSBP-ORPs human proteins In humans there are 12 ORP genes, and splicing generates 16 different protein products. OSBP-ORPs yeast proteins In yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiæ) we can find 7 ORP genes called OSH1-7, but they have some additional names as well. Role in disease Some oxysterols have been found to contribute to the inflammation and oxidative damage as well as in cell death in the appearance and especially the development of some of the most important chronic diseases, such as atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, age-related macular degeneration and other pathological conditions related to cholesterol absorption. Besides, a recent study suggests a method of screening and diagnosing Niemann-Pick C disease by plasma oxysterol screening, which is found to be less invasive, more sensitive and specific and more economical strategy than the current practice. References Protein domains Peripheral membrane proteins