ORP8 is a member of the oxysterol-binding protein related protein family. In humans, the gene family consists of 12 members, and extensive splice variation increases the number of encoded protein products substantially. The ORPs have been implicated as sterol sensors that regulate a number of cellular functions including sterol and neutral lipid metabolism, intracellular lipid transport, membrane trafficking and cell signaling. ORP8 has been recently shown to act as a sterol sensor that affects the reverse cholesterol transport process via modulation of ABCA1 expression and macrophage cholesterol efflux.