Apolipoproteins

Apolipoproteins are the protein constituents of lipoproteins and they have three main functions:¹

1. They facilitate lipid transport by stabilising the water soluble lipids, cholesterol esters and triglycerides in aqueous plasma.
2. They regulate the interaction of these lipids with the enzymes lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic triglyceride lipase (HTGL).
3. They bind to cell surface receptors.

There are eight broad groups of apolipoproteins that have currently been identified. These are designated ApoA to F, ApoH and ApoJ.

Each VLDL and LDL particle contains one molecule of ApoB100 whereas each chylomicron particle contains one molecule of ApoB40. Because there is one ApoB molecule per particle, the level of ApoB gives a good estimate of LDL particle number and is an important marker for atherosclerosis. ApoA-I is the major apolipoprotein in HDL and is linked to reduced CVD risk.²

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References:
1. In: Statins - The HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors in Perspective. Eds Gaw A, Packard CJ, Shepherd J. Martin Dunitz 2000, 1–19.
2. In: Fast Facts - Hyperlipidaemia. Eds Durrington P, Sniderman A. Health Press Ltd, Oxford, Second Edition, 2002. 7–12.

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