InterPro domain: IPR039670

Proteins in this family contain an MD-2-related lipid-recognition (ML) domain, which is implicated in lipid recognition, particularly in the recognition of pathogen related products. It has an immunoglobulin-like beta-sandwich fold similar to that of E-set Ig domains. This domain is present in proteins from plants, animals and fungi, including the following proteins:

• NPC intracellular cholesterol transporter 2 (NPC2), which is known to bind cholesterol. Niemann-Pick disease type C2 is a fatal hereditary disease characterised by accumulation of low-density lipoprotein-derived cholesterol in lysosomes [ 1 ].
• Phosphatidylglycerol/phosphatidylinositol transfer protein (Npc2) from yeasts, which catalyzes the intermembrane transfer of phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol [ 2 ].
• House-dust mite allergen proteins such as Der f 2 from Dermatophagoides farinae and Der p 2 from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus [ 3 ].

1. Structure of a cholesterol-binding protein deficient in Niemann-Pick type C2 disease. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 100, 2512-7
2. Characterization and expression of the cDNA encoding a new kind of phospholipid transfer protein, the phosphatidylglycerol/phosphatidylinositol transfer protein from Aspergillus oryzae: evidence of a putative membrane targeted phospholipid transfer protein in fungi. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1444, 276-82
3. Structure of the house dust mite allergen Der f 2: implications for function and molecular basis of IgE cross-reactivity. FEBS Lett. 579, 1208-12