Final answer:
The cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) transfers cholesterol esters between lipoproteins, maintaining cholesterol balance and preventing atherosclerosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) is responsible for the transfer of cholesterol esters between lipoproteins. It plays a key role in lipoprotein metabolism by facilitating the movement of cholesterol from high-density lipoproteins (HDL) to other lipoproteins, such as very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL). CETP helps maintain cholesterol balance and is important in preventing the development of atherosclerosis.