ATP binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) is a transmembrane protein that regulates intracellular cholesterol efflux and is closely related to the development of atherosclerosis (AS). But its structure and molecular mechanisms are still unclear. Recently an issue published on Cell (2017,169:1228-1239) by researchers from Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua University, China reported the cryo-EM structure of human ABCA1 and suggested a plausible ‘‘lateral access’’ mechanisms for ABCA1-mediated lipid export.