Stabilin-1 acts as a scavenger receptor for acetylated low density lipoprotein. It is encoded by the STAB1 gene (STAB1 stands for "Stabilin 1"), which is located on chromosome 3p21.1. The receptor protein Stabilin-1 contains 7 Fasciclin-like, 16 Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)-like, and 2 Laminin-like EGF-like domains, as well as a C-type lectin-like hyaluronan-binding link module. Stabilin-1 is expressed mainly on sinusoidal endothelial cells of liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. It binds to both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and may play a role in defense against bacterial infections.
Stabilin-1 has been shown to endocytose ligands such as low-density lipoprotein, Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and advanced glycosylation end products. The receptor protein circulates rapidly between the plasma membrane and early endosomes, supporting its possible role as a scavenger receptor. STAB1 also interacts with the protein chitinase domain-containing protein 1. Stabilin-1 is expressed mainly on sinusoidal endothelial cells of liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. The protein influences the development of atherosclerosis. When Stabilin-1 is inhibited in endothelial tube formation assays, there is a marked decrease in cell-cell interactions, also suggesting a role in angiogenesis.