Human platelets contain a novel 47 kDa thiol-oxidase having affinity for genomic sterol-regulatory sequence.

The present study provides evidence to support that human platelets possess a 47 kDa dual functional molecule having thiol-oxidase activity as well as high affinity for the SRE sequence in the human genome. On the basis of these as well as earlier results, we propose that Receptor 'Ck' dependent regulation of this dual functional 47 kDa molecule may provide a mechanism for the maintenance of cellular cholesterol homeostasis. Further, this mechanism may also explain the molecular basis of cholesterol-feedback lesion observed under premalignant conditions.