Characterization of the lipid-binding properties and lipoprotein lipase inhibition of a novel apolipoprotein C-III variant Ala23Thr

We have identified a G-to-A transition in exon 3 of the APOC3 gene resulting in a novel Ala23Thr apolipoprotein (apo) C-III variant, associated with apoC-III deficiency in three unrelated Yucatan Indians. The Ala23Thr substitution modifies the hydrophobic/hydrophilic repartition of the helical N-terminal peptide and hence could disturb the lipid association. In vitro expression in Escherichia coli of wild-type and mutant apoC-III enabled the characterization of the variant. Compared with wild-type apoC-III-Ala23, the mutant apoC-III-Thr23 showed reduced affinity for dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) multilamellar vesicles with higher amounts of free apoC-III. Displacement of apoE from discoidal apoE:dipalmitoylphosphatidycholine (DPPC) complex by apoC-III-Thr23 was comparable to wild type but the less efficient binding of the apoC-III-Thr23 to the discoidal complex resulted in a higher apoE/apoC-III (mol/mol) ratio (34%) than with wild-type/apoE:DPPC mixtures. The inhibition of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) by apoC-III-Thr23 was comparable to that of wild type, and therefore effects on LPL activity could not explain the lower triglyceride (Tg) levels in Thr-23 carriers. Thus, these in vitro results suggest that in vivo the less efficient lipid binding of apoC-III-Thr23 might lead to a faster catabolism of free apoC-III, reflected in the reduced plasma apoC-III levels identified in Thr-23 carriers, and poorer competition with apoE, which might enhance clearance of Tg-rich lipoproteins and lower plasma Tg levels seen in Thr-23 carriers.     

Lipoprotein lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine of guinea pig very low density lipoproteins and discoidal complexes of phospholipid and apolipoprotein: effect of apolipoprotein C-II on the catalytic mechanism

To elucidate the mechanism by which apolipoprotein C-II (apoC-II) enhances the activity of lipoprotein lipase (LpL), discoidal phospholipid complexes were prepared with apoC-III and di[(14)C]palmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and containing various amounts of apoC-II. The rate of DPPC hydrolysis catalyzed by purified bovine milk LpL was determined on the isolated complexes. The rate of hydrolysis was optimal at pH 8.0. Analysis of enzyme kinetic data over a range of phospholipid concentrations revealed that the major effect of apoC-II was to increase the maximal velocity (V(max)) some 50-fold with a limited effect on the Michaelis constant (K(m)). V(max) of the apoC-III complex containing no apoC-II was 9.2 nmol/min per mg LpL vs. 482 nmol/min per mg LpL for the complex containing only apoC-II. The effect of apoC-II on enzyme kinetic parameters for LpL-catalyzed hydrolysis of DPPC complexes was compared to that on the parameters for hydrolysis of DPPC and trioleoylglycerol incorporated into guinea pig very low density lipoproteins (VLDL(p)) which lack the equivalent of human apoC-II. Tri[(3)H]oleoylglycerol-labeled VLDL(p) were obtained by perfusion of guinea pig liver with [(3)H]oleic acid. Di[(14)C]palmitoyl phosphatidylcholine was incorporated into the VLDL(p) by incubation of VLDL(p) with sonicated vesicles of di[(14)C]palmitoyl phosphatidylcholine and purified bovine liver phosphatidylcholine exchange protein. The rates of LpL-catalyzed hydrolysis of trioleoylglycerol and DPPC were determined at pH 7.4 and 8.5 in the presence and absence of apoC-II. In the presence of apoC-II, the V(max) for DPPC hydrolysis in guinea pig VLDL(p) increased at both pH 7.4 and pH 8.5 (2.4- and 3.2-fold, respectively); the value of K(m) did not change at either pH (0.23 mm). On the other hand, the kinetic value of K(m) for triacylglycerol hydrolysis in the presence of apoC-II decreased at both pH 7.4 (3.05 vs. 0.54 mm) and pH 8.5 (2.73 vs. 0.62 mm). These kinetic studies suggest that apoC-II enhances phospholipid hydrolysis by LpL in apoC-III-DPPC discoidal complexes and VLDL(p) mainly by increasing the V(max) of the enzyme for the substrates, whereas the activator protein primarily causes a decrease in the apparent K(m) for triacylglycerol hydrolysis.-Shirai, K., T. J. Fitzharris, M. Shinomiya, H. G. Muntz, J. A. K. Harmony, R. L. Jackson and D. M. Quinn. Lipoprotein lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine of guinea pig very low density lipoproteins and discoidal complexes of phospholipid and apolipoprotein: effect of apolipoprotein C-II on the catalytic mechanism.     

Apolipoproteins C-I and C-III Inhibit Lipoprotein Lipase Activity by Displacement of the Enzyme from Lipid Droplets

Apolipoproteins (apo) C-I and C-III are known to inhibit lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity, but the molecular mechanisms for this remain obscure. We present evidence that either apoC-I or apoC-III, when bound to triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, prevent binding of LPL to the lipid/water interface. This results in decreased lipolytic activity of the enzyme. Site-directed mutagenesis revealed that hydrophobic amino acid residues centrally located in the apoC-III molecule are critical for attachment to lipid emulsion particles and consequently inhibition of LPL activity. Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins stabilize LPL and protect the enzyme from inactivating factors such as angiopoietin-like protein 4 (angptl4). The addition of either apoC-I or apoC-III to triglyceride-rich particles severely diminished their protective effect on LPL and rendered the enzyme more susceptible to inactivation by angptl4. These observations were seen using chylomicrons as well as the synthetic lipid emulsion Intralipid. In the presence of the LPL activator protein apoC-II, more of apoC-I or apoC-III was needed for displacement of LPL from the lipid/water interface. In conclusion, we show that apoC-I and apoC-III inhibit lipolysis by displacing LPL from lipid emulsion particles. We also propose a role for these apolipoproteins in the irreversible inactivation of LPL by factors such as angptl4.     

Effects of plasma apolipoproteins on lipoprotein lipase-mediated lipolysis of small and large lipid emulsions

Large (ca. 120 nm) and small (ca. 35 nm) emulsions consisting of triolein (TO) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) were prepared as the primary protein-free models of chylomicrons and their remnants, respectively. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL)-mediated lipolysis of emulsion TO was retarded in chylomicron-free human plasma compared with the hydrolysis activated by isolated apolipoprotein C-II (apoC-II). In 30% plasma, free fatty acid (FFA) release rate was higher for large emulsions than for small ones, while both emulsions were hydrolyzed at similar rates in the presence of isolated apoC-II. Isolated apolipoprotein C-III (apoC-III) or apolipoprotein E (apoE) worked as LPL-inhibitor of the lipolysis activated by apoC-II. It was also observed that apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) showed distinct inhibitory effects on the lipolysis of large and small emulsions: more effective inhibition for small emulsions. Kinetic analyses showed that K(m)(app) and V(max)(app) for the lipolysis of emulsions were lower in the presence of 30% plasma than isolated apoC-II. ApoA-I also markedly decreased K(m)(app) and V(max)(app) for LPL-catalyzed hydrolysis of both emulsions. In chylomicron-free serum, the density of bound apoA-I at small emulsion surfaces was about three fold greater than large emulsion surfaces, but the binding densities of apoC-II, apoC-III and apoE were less for small emulsion surfaces than for large ones, suggesting that apoA-I preferentially binds to small particles and displaces other exchangeable apolipoproteins from particle surfaces. These results indicate that, in addition to the well known inhibitory effects of apoC-III and apoE, apoA-I in plasma regulates the lipolysis of triglyceride (TG)-rich emulsions and lipoproteins in a size-dependent manner.     

Inhibition of lipoprotein lipase activity by synthetic peptides of apolipoprotein C-III.

In this study we have examined effects of synthetic polypeptide fragments of apoC-III on the kinetic properties of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity. Based on the loss of 79% of LPL-inhibitory activity after CNBr cleavage at the N-terminal portion of apoC-III and a systematic search for synthetic peptides with LPL-inhibitory activity spanning the apoC-III sequence, we concluded that the N-terminal domain is the most important in the modulation of LPL activity. In addition, there are multiple attachment sites in apoC-III for its interaction with LPL and these sites reside in the hydrophilic sequences of apoC-III. Probably for this reason the intact apo-CIII exhibited higher inhibitory potential than its peptide components. Based on the deduced inhibition constants derived for the synthetic apoC-III1-79 we concluded that apoC-III is likely to exhibit a physiological role in regulating LPL activity since the derived dissociation constants for the LPL-apoC-III interaction are within the physiological concentration range of plasma apoC-III. In addition, as the synthetic apoC-III1-79 lacks the carbohydrate moiety, we also concluded that the presence of the oligosaccharide in native apoC-III is not essential for its inhibitory activity on LPL. The fact that the I50 (concentration for inhibition of LPL at 50% activity) decreases for apoC-III-1 when assayed in the presence of apoC-II indicated that the activator actually caused an increased affinity between LPL and apoC-III and demonstrated that apoC-III does not compete for the activator site of apoC-II.     

Effects of CETP inhibition with anacetrapib on metabolism of VLDL-TG and plasma apolipoproteins C-II,C-III,and E

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) mediates the transfer of HDL cholesteryl esters for triglyceride (TG) in VLDL/LDL. CETP inhibition, with anacetrapib, increases HDL-cholesterol, reduces LDL-cholesterol, and lowers TG levels. This study describes the mechanisms responsible for TG lowering by examining the kinetics of VLDL-TG, apoC-II, apoC-III, and apoE. Mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects were randomized to either placebo (N = 10) or atorvastatin 20 mg/qd (N = 29) for 4 weeks (period 1) followed by 8 weeks of anacetrapib, 100 mg/qd (period 2). Following each period, subjects underwent stable isotope metabolic studies to determine the fractional catabolic rates (FCRs) and production rates (PRs) of VLDL-TG and plasma apoC-II, apoC-III, and apoE. Anacetrapib reduced the VLDL-TG pool on a statin background due to an increased VLDL-TG FCR (29%; P = 0.002). Despite an increased VLDL-TG FCR following anacetrapib monotherapy (41%; P = 0.11), the VLDL-TG pool was unchanged due to an increase in the VLDL-TG PR (39%; P = 0.014). apoC-II, apoC-III, and apoE pool sizes increased following anacetrapib; however, the mechanisms responsible for these changes differed by treatment group. Anacetrapib increased the VLDL-TG FCR by enhancing the lipolytic potential of VLDL, which lowered the VLDL-TG pool on atorvastatin background. There was no change in the VLDL-TG pool in subjects treated with anacetrapib monotherapy due to an accompanying increase in the VLDL-TG PR.     

A Pressure-dependent Model for the Regulation of Lipoprotein Lipase by Apolipoprotein C-II

Apolipoprotein C-II (apoC-II) is the co-factor for lipoprotein lipase (LPL) at the surface of triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins. LPL hydrolyzes triacylglycerol, which increases local surface pressure as surface area decreases and amphipathic products transiently accumulate at the lipoprotein surface. To understand how apoC-II adapts to these pressure changes, we characterized the behavior of apoC-II at multiple lipid/water interfaces. ApoC-II adsorption to a triacylglycerol/water interface resulted in large increases in surface pressure. ApoC-II was exchangeable at this interface and desorbed on interfacial compressions. These compressions increase surface pressure and mimic the action of LPL. Analysis of gradual compressions showed that apoC-II undergoes a two-step desorption, which indicates that lipid-bound apoC-II can exhibit at least two conformations. We characterized apoC-II at phospholipid/triacylglycerol/water interfaces, which more closely mimic lipoprotein surfaces. ApoC-II had a large exclusion pressure, similar to that of apoC-I and apoC-III. However, apoC-II desorbed at retention pressures higher than those seen with the other apoCs. This suggests that it is unlikely that apoC-I and apoC-III inhibit LPL via displacement of apoC-II from the lipoprotein surface. Upon rapid compressions and re-expansions, re-adsorption of apoC-II increased pressure by lower amounts than its initial adsorption. This indicates that apoC-II removed phospholipid from the interface upon desorption. These results suggest that apoC-II regulates the activity of LPL in a pressure-dependent manner. ApoC-II is provided as a component of triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins and is the co-factor for LPL as pressure increases. Above its retention pressure, apoC-II desorbs and removes phospholipid. This triggers release of LPL from lipoproteins.     

Aromatic residues in the C terminus of apolipoprotein C-III mediate lipid binding and LPL inhibition

Plasma apoC-III levels correlate with triglyceride (TG) levels and are a strong predictor of CVD outcomes. ApoC-III elevates TG in part by inhibiting LPL. ApoC-III likely inhibits LPL by competing for lipid binding. To probe this, we used oil-drop tensiometry to characterize binding of six apoC-III variants to lipid/water interfaces. This technique monitors the dependence of lipid binding on surface pressure, which increases during TG hydrolysis by LPL. ApoC-III adsorption increased surface pressure by upward of 18 mN/m at phospholipid/TG/water interfaces. ApoC-III was retained to high pressures at these interfaces, desorbing at 21–25 mN/m. Point mutants, which substituted alanine for aromatic residues, impaired the lipid binding of apoC-III. Adsorption and retention pressures decreased by 1–6 mN/m in point mutants, with the magnitude determined by the location of alanine substitutions. Trp42 was most critical to mediating lipid binding. These results strongly correlate with our previous results, linking apoC-III point mutants to increased LPL binding and activity at lipid surfaces. We propose that aromatic residues in the C-terminal half of apoC-III mediate binding to TG-rich lipoproteins. Increased apoC-III expression in the hypertriglyceridemic state allows apoC-III to accumulate on lipoproteins and inhibit LPL by preventing binding and/or access to substrate.     

Lipoprotein lipase in rat heart--II. Influence of apolipoproteins and nutritional factors on tri-, di- and monoacylglycerol lipase activities in post-heparin effluents

1. The in vitro effects of serum and apolipoproteins (apo), and the influence of the nutritional state of the animals were compared on triacylglycerol lipase (TAGL), diacylglycerol lipase (DAGL) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) activities in post-heparin effluent from rat heart. 2. Serum and apoC-II stimulated DAGL and MAGL 3-fold less than TAGL, the activity that measures lipoprotein lipase (LPL). 3. The preexisting nutritional state of the heart, that strongly modulated LPL, did not influence DAGL and MAGL. 4. ApoA-I, apoC-I, apoC-III1 and apoC-III2 did not stimulate LPL and counteracted its stimulation by apoC-II; MAGL, and not DAGL, was inhibited by apoA-I and apoC-I, an effect reversed by apoC-II. 5. TAGL, DAGL and MAGL appeared to act as a single physiological unit, although differing in functional details; MAGL displayed the greatest dissimilarity.     

Apolipoprotein C-I modulates the interaction of apolipoprotein E with beta-migrating very low density lipoproteins (beta-VLDL) and inhibits binding of beta-VLDL to low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein

The binding of native rabbit beta-very low density lipoproteins (beta-VLDL) to the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) requires incubation with exogenous apolipoprotein (apo) E. Inclusion of a mixture of the C apolipoproteins in the incubation inhibits this binding. In the present study, the ability of the individual C apolipoproteins (C-I, C-II, and C-III) to block binding of beta-VLDL to the LRP was examined by measuring cholesteryl ester formation in mutant fibroblasts that lack low density lipoprotein receptors or by measuring binding to the LRP using ligand blotting. In each assay, both apoC-I and apoC-II inhibited binding; apoC-I was the more effective inhibitor. Apolipoprotein C-III had no effect on binding activity, regardless of its sialylation level. Binding of human apoE to rabbit beta-VLDL in the absence or presence of human apoC-I, apoC-II, and monosialo-apoC-III was also determined, by gel filtration and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The results of these studies are consistent with a mechanism in which exogenous human apoE displaces the endogenous apoE and the beta-VLDL particle becomes enriched with apoE (by 4.2-fold in this study). At this higher apoE content, the beta-VLDL bound to the LRP. Inclusion of apoC-I, apoC-II, or apoC-III in the incubation mixture resulted in a differential displacement of apoE from the beta-VLDL; however, at the concentrations examined, only apoC-I and apoC-II were capable of displacing sufficient apoE to abolish binding to LRP.     

Reaction of lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase with micellar substrates. Effect of particle sizes

Micellar, discoidal complexes were prepared from L-alpha-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) or egg phosphatidylcholine (egg-PC), cholesterol, and human apolipoprotein A-I by the cholate dialysis method. Reaction mixtures containing from 70:7:1 to 500:50:1, PC/cholesterol/apolipoprotein A-I (mol/mol) were fractionated by gel-filtration into various complex fractions. The isolated DPPC complexes ranged in size from 103 to 380 A in diameter, and in composition from 70:7:1 to 470:45:1, PC/cholesterol/apolipoprotein A-I (mol/mol), respectively. In contrast, the isolated egg-PC complexes only ranged in size from 105 to 214 A in diameter, and in composition from 65:5:1 to 153:17:1, PC/cholesterol/apolipoprotein A-I (mol/mol), respectively. Measurements of fluorescence wavelength maxima and fluorescence polarization of tryptophan residues of apolipoprotein A-I, in both series of complexes, revealed uniform spectral properties for all the egg-PC containing complexes. The DPPC complexes, on the other hand, had maxima in the fluorescence parameters for complexes with diameters around 200 A. When reacted with purified human lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase, either at constant apolipoprotein A-I or at constant lipid concentration, all egg-PC complexes had very similar reaction rates, but the DPPC complex series exhibited major differences in reactivity. Minima in reaction rates occurred for DPPC complexes around 200 A in diameter, and optimal rates were observed with the small discoidal complexes (110 A in diameter). These reaction rates correlate well with the apolipoprotein A-I fluorescence properties and indicate that the apolipoprotein structure, reflected at the interface with phosphatidylcholine, may be the most important factor in determining complex reactivity with lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase.     

Capillary isotachophoresis study of lipoprotein network sensitive to apolipoprotein E phenotype. 1. ApoE distribution between lipoproteins

Sixteen patients differing widely in plasma triglyceride content were divided into three groups by their apolipoprotein E (apoE) phenotype—E33 homozygotes, E23, and E34 heterozygotes. The plasma lipid and apoE distribution between individual lipoproteins was followed by capillary isotachophoresis (CITP) of plasma samples pre-stained with lipid fluorescent probe NBD-C6-ceramide and by fluorescein-labeled apoE, respectively. Among 12 peaks visualized by ceramide staining, an individual peak with very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) was identified. The VLDL cholesterol and apoE content determined by CITP directly in whole plasma were significantly related to their content as determined by conventional analysis with isolated VLDL. The ceramide distribution among lipoprotein pools was insensitive to apoE phenotype (49–53 : 7–11 : 39–43% for HDL, VLDL, and IDL/LDL, respectively) while the preferential binding of apoE to VLDL was observed in E34 patients compared to E33 (62 : 19 : 20 vs. 70 : 9 : 22%). In a study of apoE/F displacement from lipoproteins at plasma titration by apoC-III in vitro, apoE was found to bind more tightly to VLDL from E34 compared to E33 patients as evidenced by both the increased non-displaceable apoE pool, the increased VLDL sorbtion capacity for apoE, and the decreased displacement parameter in a “container” model of lipoprotein binding. Two different types of apoE package in a whole lipoprotein profile were observed. ApoE structure in a particular lipoprotein may underlie the phenotype-sensitive apoE distribution and apoC-III interference in hypertriglyceridemia.     

Apolipoprotein specificity for lipid efflux by the human ABCAI transporter

ABCAI, a member of the ATP binding cassette family, mediates the efflux of excess cellular lipid to HDL and is defective in Tangier disease. The apolipoprotein acceptor specificity for lipid efflux by ABCAI was examined in stably transfected Hela cells, expressing a human ABCAI-GFP fusion protein. ApoA-I and all of the other exchangeable apolipoproteins tested (apoA-II, apoA-IV, apoC-I, apoC-II, apoC-III, apoE) showed greater than a threefold increase in cholesterol and phospholipid efflux from ABCAI-GFP transfected cells compared to control cells. Expression of ABCAI in Hela cells also resulted in a marked increase in specific binding of both apoA-I (Kd = 0.60 microg/mL) and apoA-II (Kd = 0.58 microg/mL) to a common binding site. In summary, ABCAI-mediated cellular binding of apolipoproteins and lipid efflux is not specific for only apoA-I but can also occur with other apolipoproteins that contain multiple amphipathic helical domains.     

apoE3[K146N/R147W] acts as a dominant negative apoE form that prevents remnant clearance and inhibits the biogenesis of HDL

The K146N/R147W substitutions in apoE3 were described in patients with a dominant form of type III hyperlipoproteinemia. The effects of these mutations on the in vivo functions of apoE were studied by adenovirus-mediated gene transfer in different mouse models. Expression of the apoE3[K146N/R147W] mutant in apoE-deficient (apoE^−/−) or apoA-I-deficient (apoA-I^−/−)×apoE^−/− mice exacerbated the hypercholesterolemia and increased plasma apoE and triglyceride levels. In apoE^−/− mice, the apoE3[K146N/R147W] mutant displaced apoA-I from the VLDL/LDL/HDL region and caused the accumulation of discoidal apoE-containing HDL. The WT apoE3 cleared the cholesterol of apoE^−/− mice without induction of hypertriglyceridemia and promoted formation of spherical HDL. A unique property of the truncated apoE3[K146N/R147W]202 mutant, compared with similarly truncated apoE forms, is that it did not correct the hypercholesterolemia. The contribution of LPL and LCAT in the induction of the dyslipidemia was studied. Treatment of apoE^−/− mice with apoE3[K146N/R147W] and LPL corrected the hypertriglyceridemia, but did not prevent the formation of discoidal HDL. Treatment with LCAT corrected hypertriglyceridemia and generated spherical HDL. The combined data indicate that the K146N/R147W substitutions convert the full-length and the truncated apoE3[K146N/R147W] mutant into a dominant negative ligand that prevents receptor-mediated remnant clearance, exacerbates the dyslipidemia, and inhibits the biogenesis of HDL.     

Storage of human plasma samples leads to alterations in the lipoprotein distribution of apoC-III and apoE

The effect of frozen storage on lipoprotein distribution of apolipoprotein C-III (apoC-III) and apoE was investigated by measuring apoC-III and apoE by ELISA in HDL and apoB-containing lipoproteins of human plasma samples (n = 16) before and after 2 weeks of frozen storage (-20 degrees C). HDLs were separated by heparin-manganese precipitation (HMP) or by fast-protein liquid chromatography (FPLC). Total plasma apoC-III and apoE levels were not affected by frozen storage. HDL-HMP apoC-III and apoE levels were significantly higher in frozen versus fresh samples: 7.7 +/- 0.7 versus 6.7 +/- 0.7 mg/dl (P < 0.05) and 2.0 +/- 0.1 versus 1.2 +/- 0.1 mg/dl (P < 0.001), respectively. HDL-FPLC apoC-III and apoE, but not triglyceride (TG) or cholesterol, levels were also higher in frozen samples: 12.0 +/- 1.2 versus 7.5 +/- 0.6 mg/dl (P < 0.001) and 2.7 +/- 0.2 versus 1.6 +/- 0.2 mg/dl (P < 0.001), respectively. Frozen storage led to a decrease in apoC-III (-17 +/- 9%) and apoE (-19 +/- 9%) in triglyceride-rich lipoprotein. Redistribution of apoC-III and apoE was most evident in samples with high TG levels. HDL apoC-III and apoE levels were also significantly higher when measured in plasma stored at -80 degrees C. Our results demonstrate that lipoprotein distribution of apoC-III and apoE is affected by storage of human plasma, suggesting that analysis of frozen plasma should be avoided in studies relating lipoprotein levels of apoC-III and/or apoE to the incidence of coronary artery disease.     

ApoE2-associated hypertriglyceridemia is ameliorated by increased levels of apoA-V but unaffected by apoC-III deficiency

Apolipoprotein E2 (apoE2)-associated hyperlipidemia is characterized by a disturbed clearance of apoE2-enriched VLDL remnants. Because excess apoE2 inhibits LPL-mediated triglyceride (TG) hydrolysis in vitro, we investigated whether direct or indirect stimulation of LPL activity in vivo reduces the apoE2-associated hypertriglyceridemia. Here, we studied the role of LPL and two potent modifiers, the LPL inhibitor apoC-III and the LPL activator apoA-V, in APOE2-knockin (APOE2) mice. Injection of heparin in APOE2 mice reduced plasma TG by 53% and plasma total cholesterol (TC) by 18%. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of LPL reduced plasma TG by 85% and TC by 40%. Both experiments indicate that the TG in apoE2-enriched particles is a suitable substrate for LPL. Indirect activation of LPL activity via deletion of Apoc3 in APOE2 mice did not affect plasma TG levels, whereas overexpression of Apoa5 in APOE2 mice did reduce plasma TG by 81% and plasma TC by 41%. In conclusion, the hypertriglyceridemia in APOE2 mice can be ameliorated by the direct activation of LPL activity. Indirect activation of LPL via overexpression of apoA-V does, whereas deletion of apoC-III does not, affect the plasma TGs in APOE2 mice. These data indicate that changes in apoA-V levels have a dominant effect over changes in apoC-III levels in the improvement of APOE2-associated hypertriglyceridemia.     

Generation of a recombinant apolipoprotein E variant with improved biological functions: hydrophobic residues (LEU-261, TRP-264, PHE-265, LEU-268, VAL-269) of apoE can account for the apoE-induced hypertriglyceridemia

To identify the residues in the carboxyl-terminal region 260-299 of human apolipoprotein E (apoE) that contribute to hypertriglyceridemia, two sets of conserved, hydrophobic amino acids between residues 261 and 283 were mutated to alanines, and recombinant adenoviruses expressing these apoE mutants were generated. Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of apoE4-mut1 (apoE4 (L261A, W264A, F265A, L268A, V269A)) in apoE-deficient mice (apoE(-/-)) corrected plasma cholesterol levels and did not cause hypertriglyceridemia. In contrast, gene transfer of apoE4-mut2 (apoE4 (W276A, L279A, V280A, V283A)) did not correct hypercholesterolemia and induced mild hypertriglyceridemia. ApoE-induced hyperlipidemia was corrected by co-infection with a recombinant adenovirus expressing human lipoprotein lipase. Both apoE4 mutants caused only a small increase in hepatic very low density lipoprotein-triglyceride secretion. Density gradient ultracentrifugation analysis of plasma and electron microscopy showed that wild-type apoE4 and apoE4-mut2 displaced apoA-I from the high density lipoprotein (HDL) region and promoted the formation of discoidal HDL, whereas the apoE4-mut1 did not displace apoA-I from HDL and promoted the formation of spherical HDL. The findings indicate that residues Leu-261, Trp-264, Phe-265, Leu-268, and Val-269 of apoE are responsible for hypertriglyceridemia and also interfere with the formation of HDL. Substitutions of these residues by alanine provide a recombinant apoE form with improved biological functions.     

High postprandial triglyceridemia in patients with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria

Microalbuminuria (MA) is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Postprandial lipemia is also associated with excess cardiovascular risk. However, the association between MA and postprandial lipemia in diabetes has not been investigated. A total of 64 patients with T2DM, 30 with and 34 without MA, were examined. Plasma total triglycerides (TGs), triglycerides contained in chylomicrons (CM-TG), and TGs in CM-deficient plasma were measured at baseline and every 2 h for 6 h after a mixed meal. Postheparin LPL and HL activities were also determined. Plasma levels of apolipoprotein A-V (apoA-V), apoC-II, and apoC-III were measured in the fasting state and 2 h postprandially. Patients with MA had higher postprandial total TG levels than those without MA (P < 0.001); this increase been attributed mainly to CM-TG. LPL activity and fasting concentrations of the measured apolipoproteins were not different between the studied groups, whereas HL activity was higher in the patients with MA. ApoC-II and apoC-III levels did not change postprandially in either study group, whereas apoA-V increased more in the patients with MA. These data demonstrate for the first time that MA is characterized by increased postprandial lipemia in patients with T2DM and may explain in part the excess cardiovascular risk in these patients.     

Apolipoproteins C-I, C-II, and C-III: kinetics of association with model membranes and intermembrane transfer

The apoproteins (apo) C-I, C-II, and C-III are low molecular weight amphiphilic proteins that are associated with the lipid surface of the plasma chylomicron, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subfractions. Purified apoC-I spontaneously reassociates with VLDL, HDL, and single-bilayer vesicles (SBV) of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. ApoC-I also transfers reversibly from VLDL to HDL and from VLDL and HDL to SBV. The kinetics of association of the individual apoC proteins with SBV are second order overall and first order with respect to lipid and protein concentrations. At 37 degrees C, the rates of association were 2.5 x 10(10), 4.0 x 10(10) and 3.8 x 10(10) M-1 s-1 for apoC-I, apoC-II, and apoC-III, respectively. Arrhenius plots of association rate vs temperature were linear and yielded activation energies of 11.0 (apoC-I), 9.0 (apoC-II), and 10.6 kcal/mol (apoC-III). The kinetics of vesicle to vesicle apoprotein transfer are biexponential for intermembrane transfer, indicating two concurrent transfer processes. Rate constants at 37 degrees C for the fast component of dissociation were 11.7, 9.5, and 9.9 s-1, while rate constants for the slow component were 1.3, 0.6, and 0.9 s-1 for apoC-I, apoC-II, and apoC-III, respectively. The dissociation constants, Kd, of apoC-I, apoC-II, and apoC-III bound to the surface monolayer of phospholipid-coated latex beads were 0.5, 1.4, and 0.5 microM, respectively. These studies show that the apoC proteins are in dynamic equilibrium among phospholipid surfaces on a time scale that is rapid compared to lipolysis, lipid transfer, and lipoprotein turnover.     

Conformation of apolipoprotein E both in free and in lipid-bound form may determine the avidity of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins to the LDL receptor: structural and kinetic study

Slow refolding of human apolipoprotein E (apoE) in solution after guanidine- or cholate-induced denaturation followed by dialysis under controlled conditions was investigated using various spectroscopic properties of fluorescein- and dansyl-labeled apolipoprotein molecules. The results suggest that the last phase(s) of apoE refolding in solution include a slow (several hours at 24 degrees C) interconversion of a self-associated 'open' conformer into a more dense 'closed' conformer. The hydrophobic interactions are primarily responsible for the formation of this more compact apoE structure. To visualize the contribution of apolipoprotein conformation and/or the number of 'active' lipid-bound apoE molecules in the reaction of binding to the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr) by solid-phase binding assay, the complexes of human plasma apolipoprotein or recombinant (rec) apoE3 with dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) or palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC) varying in size were used. For seven complexes with plasma protein (four DPPC and three POPC complexes), the final phosphatidylcholine (PC)/protein mole ratio ranged from 117 to 279; affinity constant K(a) averaged for both PCs and plotted against this ratio abruptly increased from 3.8 x 10(7) to 3.8 x 10(8) M(-1) with a transition midpoint of 150-180 PC/apoE, mole ratio. Two DPPC complexes with rec protein bind much more efficiently. Complexes with both plasma and rec apoE were able to compete with very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) or low density lipoproteins (LDL) isolated from patients with E3/3 phenotype, for binding to the LDLr. Again, the competition efficiency abruptly increased at the increase in PC content with a transition midpoint of 130 PC/apoE, mole ratio. The transitions observed both in direct and competitive binding assay probably correspond to the abrupt increase in the number of 'active' apoE molecules on the complex surface accompanying the change in the size and/or in the shape of the complexes. The efficiency of apoE and apoB as the corresponding major ligands in the binding reaction of VLDL and LDL to the LDL receptor was compared. VLDL bind to LDLr following a simple encounter complex model, while LDL binding was characterized by a more complex two-step model with an additional isomerization step. The analysis of the binding data led us to suggest the existence of the continuum from several (2-3) apoE molecules on the surface of TG-rich particles that resulted in the increased binding affinity, on average 3.5-fold higher, compared to LDL. The existence of a complex equilibrium between aqueous and different lipid-bound forms of apoE is proposed, in particular, the formation of a transient disc-lipoprotein particle structure during the interaction with LDLr in vivo as well as in LPL-stimulated lipolysis of the lipid phase of the particle.