Biochemistry, Apolipoprotein B

Lipids such as cholesterol are insoluble in plasma and for delivery to tissues such as the adrenal gland, gonads etc, they have to be packaged into lipoproteins with cholesterol esters and triglycerides in the core and phospholipids, free cholesterol and apolipoproteins on the surface. Such is the composition of the lipoproteins. Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) is the primary apolipoprotein and is the carrier for the following lipids: chylomicrons, low-density lipoprotein ( LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL), and lipoprotein (a). ApoB is not found in high-density lipoproteins (HDL), the latter are reconstituted into lipoproteins with Apo A. Hepatic ApoB has a molecular mass of 540000 Da. There are two circulating forms of Apo B, Apo B48 (from the small intestine) and Apo B100 (from the liver). Intestinal ApoB which is present in chylomicrons has a molecular mass 48% of that of hepatic ApoB. Hence, hepatic ApoB is termed ApoB100 and intestinal Apo B as apoB 48. The same gene codes for both ApoB48 an ApoB 100. Apo B-100 contains 4536 amino acids and is necessary for assembly of VLDL in the liver an also serves as the primary ligand for LDL receptor medicated clearance of LDL particles from the blood. Apo B-48 has 2512 amino acids and is essential for the formation of chylomicrons and serves in the absorption of dietary fats from the intestine.