[5][6] The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the angiopoietin-like family of secreted factors.

[7] ANGPTL3 inhibits endothelial lipase hydrolysis of HDL-phospholipid (PL), thereby increasing HDL-PL levels.

[citation needed] Circulating PL-rich HDL particles have high cholesterol efflux abilities.

[citation needed] Angptl3 plays a major role in promoting uptake of circulating triglycerides into white adipose tissue in the fed state,[8] likely through activation by Angptl8, a feeding-induced hepatokine,[9][10] to inhibit postprandial LPL activity in cardiac and skeletal muscles,[11] as suggested by the ANGPTL3-4-8 model.

[citation needed] In humans with genetic loss-of-function variants in one copy of ANGPTL3, the serum LDL-C levels are reduced.