Towards a reference map of Eimeria tenella sporozoite proteins by two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry

Eimeria tenella is a parasite of great importance as a disease causing agent in the poultry industry. Until recently, biological studies have focused on specific proteins, some of which play an important role in the parasite life cycle. Post-genomic studies will make it possible to understand the complexity of the parasites and their interactions with host cells. Here we present a systematic reference map of the proteins from E. tenella sporozoites. The proteins expressed at the sporozoite stage were resolved between isoelectric points 3-10 and 4-7. They were systematically identified using mass spectrometry and 16 known Eimeria sporozoite proteins were identified on two-dimensional maps. Peptide fragmentation data from mass spectrometry were compared to single and consensus expression sequence tags in databases and to the E. tenella genome (not annotated). Among the set of unknown proteins analysed, 12 new assignments were proposed on the basis of similarities with Apicomplexa proteins. In order to define sporozoite proteins as potential targets for coccidiosis therapy, proteins were studied according to their relative abundance and immunogenicity in the sporozoite. Immunoblots of sporozoite 2D maps with chicken sera were performed and approximately 50 proteins were defined as antigens. It was shown that abundance and immunogenicity are not related in the sporozoite stage. Perspectives of gene prediction and completion of the genome annotation by a proteomic approach is discussed.     

Mapping of bovine skeletal muscle proteins using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry

The large individual variation in meat quality seen both within and between animals is not fully understood. Consequently, our long-term goal is to identify reliable proteins which control or determine bovine meat quality. Using a proteomic approach, bovine skeletal muscle samples were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) using an immobilized pH 4-7 gradient in the first dimension and mass spectrometry. We first tested the reproducibility of the method. These experiments showed slightly greater intersample than intrasample variability. In order to evaluate the type of visualized proteins in 2-DE, we initiated the construction of a protein reference map of bovine Semitendinosus muscle. In total, 129 protein spots corresponding to 75 different gene products were identified. Of these proteins, the largest portion is involved in metabolism (25.5%), cell structure (17%), cell defense (16%) and contractile apparatus (14.5%). One quarter of the identified proteins are represented by two or several protein spots and multiple isoforms of troponin T are present. Peptide mass fingerprint results indicate that these isoforms are partly generated by alternative splicing. The data presented here are an important step for further proteome analyses on bovine muscle. This may lead to progress in understanding the mechanisms controlling postmortem muscle metabolism and meat quality.     

Separation and identification of soybean leaf proteins by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry

To establish a proteomic reference map for soybean leaves, we separated and identified leaf proteins using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) and mass spectrometry (MS). Tryptic digests of 260 spots were subjected to peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF) by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) MS. Fifty-three of these protein spots were identified by searching NCBInr and SwissProt databases using the Mascot search engine. Sixty-seven spots that were not identified by MALDI-TOF-MS analysis were analyzed with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and 66 of these spots were identified by searching against the NCBInr, SwissProt and expressed sequence tag (EST) databases. We have identified a total of 71 unique proteins. The majority of the identified leaf proteins are involved in energy metabolism. The results indicate that 2D-PAGE, combined with MALDI-TOF-MS and LC-MS/MS, is a sensitive and powerful technique for separation and identification of soybean leaf proteins. A summary of the identified proteins and their putative functions is discussed.     

家蚕精巢蛋白质的双向电泳及质谱分析

精巢是雄性家蚕Bombyx mori的生殖腺,它的主要功能是产生精子,全面检测和鉴定精巢器官的蛋白分布将为分析家蚕雄性个体的发育和繁殖奠定基础。本研究利用双向聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳和蛋白硝酸银染色技术对家蚕5龄第5天幼虫的精巢组织进行了蛋白检测,利用基质辅助激光解析质量飞行时间质谱（MALDI-TOF-MS）对表达量较高的蛋白点进行了肽质量指纹图谱鉴定。结果表明：家蚕精巢蛋白质可以检测出1 000个以上的蛋白点,这些蛋白点主要集中在分子量为15～90 kD区域,等电点3.5～9之间,其中60个蛋白点得到了成功鉴定,按照已知或推测的蛋白功能,将其分为8类,包括：细胞骨架和细胞结构蛋白,膜蛋白或信号相关蛋白,大量应激反应蛋白（伴侣蛋白）,线粒体和能量产生相关蛋白,转录调控和翻译及DNA/RNA结合相关蛋白,酶和少量血液组成蛋白。其中很多蛋白可能在鞭毛形成、能量代谢及减数分裂过程中有重要作用。这些结果为进一步认识家蚕精子形成过程提供了重要的生物学信息。     

Proteome analysis of Schizosaccharomyces pombe by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry

The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe (S. pombe) is a unicellular eukaryote and contains many genes and regulatory mechanisms that are close to those of mammals. In this study, we performed a global proteomic analysis of the fission yeast S. pombe wild type h(-S) L 972 proteome. More than 1,500 protein spots were visualized on silver stained 2-D gels in the 3-10 pI range with a high resolution and high reproducibility. Protein identification was carried out by MALDI-TOF-MS and/or nanoLC-MS/MS. Advantage of the complementarity of these two MS approaches was used to enhance the identification quality. So far, 364 proteins (representing 157 different proteins) have been identified. We report here the identification of 117 new proteins on our 2-D reference map of this yeast compared to the first reference map. Of these identified proteins, 40.1% were involved in metabolism. The present work provides a very useful tool for all studies relying on S. pombe as a model organism and is a considerable complement to the first reference map of S. pombe published recently by Sun and coworkers (Sun, N., Jang, J., Lee, S., Kim, S. et al.., Proteomics 2005, 5, 1574-1579).     

Characterization of wheat gliadin proteins by combined two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and tandem mass spectrometry

A proteomics-based approach was used for characterizing wheat gliadins from an Italian common wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivar. A two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) map of roughly 40 spots was obtained by submitting the 70% alcohol-soluble crude protein extract to isoelectric focusing on immobilized pH gradient strips across two pH gradient ranges, i.e., 3-10 or pH 6-11, and to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis in the second dimension. The chymotryptic digest of each spot was characterized by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry and nano electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis, providing a "peptide map" for each digest. The measured masses were subsequently sought in databases for sequences. For accurate identification of the parent protein, it was necessary to determine de novo sequences by MS/MS experiments on the peptides. By partial mass fingerprinting, we identified protein molecules such as alpha/beta-, gamma-, omega-gliadin, and high molecular weight-glutenin. The single spots along the 2-DE map were discriminated on the basis of their amino acid sequence traits. alpha-Gliadin, the most represented wheat protein in databases, was highly conserved as the relative N-terminal sequence of the components from the 2-DE map contained only a few silent amino acid substitutions. The other closely related gliadins were identified by sequencing internal peptide chains. The results gave insight into the complex nature of gliadin heterogeneity. This approach has provided us with sound reference data for differentiating gliadins amongst wheat varieties.     

Proteomic analysis of preharvest sprouting in rye using two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry

Qualitative and quantitative differences were found between two-dimensional electrophoretic spectra of 546 proteins from two bulked samples of mature rye grain representing: (1) 20 recombinant inbred lines extremely resistant to preharvest sprouting and (2) 20 recombinant inbred lines extremely susceptible to preharvest sprouting. Mass spectrometry of resolved proteins showed that four spots specific for PHS susceptibility represented high molecular weight glutenin subunit, glutathione transferase, 16.9?kDa heat-shock protein, and monomeric alpha-amylase inhibitor. Two spots specific for PHS resistance contained cytosolic malate dehydrogenase and functionally unrecognized protein with sequence homology to rubber elongation factor protein. Majority of 14 proteins with at least two-fold higher accumulation level in preharvest sprouting susceptible lines relative to that found in sprouting resistant lines, showed sequence homology to proteins involved in defense mechanisms against biotic and abiotic stresses including oxidative stress, and those taking part in energy supply. Two spots were identified as regulatory proteins from the 14-3-3 family with one molecular form prevailing in sprouting susceptible and another form highly accumulated in sprouting resistant lines. Further study establishing map positions of the revealed structural genes in respect to quantitative trait loci for preharvest sprouting in rye should answer the question on their possible status as candidate genes.     

Proteomic analysis of melanoma-derived exosomes by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry

Exosomes are 40-100 nm vesicles released by numerous cell types and are thought to have a variety of roles depending on their origin. Exosomes derived from antigen presenting cells have been shown to be capable of initiating immune responses in vivo and eradicating established tumours in murine models. Tumour-derived exosomes can be utilised as a source of tumour antigen for cross-priming to T-cells and are thus of interest for use in anti-tumour immunotherapy. Further exploration into the protein composition of exosomes may increase our understanding of their potential roles in vivo and this study has examined the proteome of exosomes purified from cell supernatants of the melanoma cell lines MeWo and SK-MEL-28. The vesicular nature and size (30-100 nm) of the purified exosomes was confirmed by electron microscopy and sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Western blotting demonstrated the absence of calnexin and cytochrome c, verifying the purity of the exosome preparations, as well as enrichment of MHC class I and the tumour-associated antigens Mart-1 and Mel-CAM. The two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE) protein profiles of exosomes from the two cell lines were highly comparable and strikingly different from the profiles of the total cell lysates. Mass spectrometric sequencing identified proteins present in 49 protein spots in the exosome lysates. Several of these have been identified previously in exosomes but some are novel, including p120 catenin, radixin, and immunoglobulin superfamily member 8 (PGRL). Proteins present in whole-cell lysates that were significantly reduced or excluded from exosomes were also identified and included several mitochondrial and lysosomal proteins, again confirming the proposed endosomal origin of exosomes. This study presents a starting point for future more in-depth protein studies of tumour-derived exosomes which will aid the understanding of their biogenesis and targeting for use in anti-tumour immunotherapy protocols.     

Proteomic analysis of Candida magnoliae strains by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry

Candida magnoliae which has been newly isolated from honey comb is an osmotolerant yeast to produce erythritol as a major product. Erythritol is a noncariogenic, low calorie sweetener and safe for diabetics. Strain development by chemical mutation to obtain the improved erythritol yield and productivity relative to the parental strain made it necessary to elucidate the physiological differences between the wild and mutant strains. Proteomic analyses of C. magnoliae wild and mutant strains with two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and nanoelectrospray mass spectrometry were carried out to identify intracellular proteins and to estimate the effects of newly characterized metabolic enzymes on the yeast cell growth and erythritol production. Most of the molecular mass of intracellular proteins were distributed in the range of pI 4-8 and molecular mass of approximately 130 kDa. Six out of nine protein spots expressed at different levels between the wild and mutant strains were analyzed with nanoelectrospray tandem mass spectrometry and identified by comparing amino acid sequences with the National Center for Biotechnology Information and Saccharomyces Genome Databases. Except for Ygr086cp, these proteins were believed to be the metabolic enzymes involved in the citric acid cycle (citrate synthase, succinyl-CoA ligase and fumarase) and the glycolysis pathway (pyruvate decarboxylase and enolase). Up-regulated enzymes in the citric acid cycle could explain high growth of the C. magnoliae mutant strain owing to the increased NADH and ATP formation. Down-regulated enolase and up-regulated fumarase in the mutant strain seemed to play a role in the improved bioconversion of erythrose-4-phosphate to erythritol compared with the wild strain.     

Identification of immuno-reactive proteins from a sheep gastrointestinal nematode, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, using two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry

Gastrointestinal nematode infections of livestock animals are prevalent and costly problems worldwide. Currently, infections are controlled by anthelmintic chemicals but increasing drug resistance has prompted research interest to shift towards alternative methods of control such as vaccine development and selection of worm-resistant animals. The present study analyses proteins from Trichostrongylus colubriformis infective L3s that are recognised by IgG of immune sheep. Following protein separation via two-dimensional electrophoresis and Western blot probing with plasma from sheep resistant to T. colubriformis, mass spectrometry-based proteomic analyses were used to identify immuno-reactive protein spots. We were able to identify 28 immune targets, including aspartyl protease inhibitor, enolase, chaperone proteins, galectin, glycolytic enzymes, kinase, phosphatase and structural muscle proteins such as myosin, paramyosin, calponin and DIM-1. The data suggest that immune responses to T. colubriformis are dispersed over a relatively large number of parasite antigens, including several cytoplasmically expressed proteins. The results have new implications for understanding the molecular mechanisms that underpin host-parasite interaction during gastrointestinal nematode infections.     

Subproteomes of soluble and structure-bound Helicobacter pylori proteins analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry

Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common bacterial pathogens and causes a variety of diseases, such as peptic ulcer or gastric cancer. Despite intensive study of this human pathogen in the last decades, knowledge about its membrane proteins and, in particular, those which are putative components of the type IV secretion system encoded by the cag pathogenicity island (PAI) remains limited. Our aim is to establish a dynamic two-dimensional electrophoresis-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-DE-PAGE) database with multiple subproteomes of H. pylori (http://www.mpiib-berlin.mpg.de/2D-PAGE) which facilitates identification of bacterial proteins important in pathogen-host interactions. Using a proteomic approach, we investigated the protein composition of two H. pylori fractions: soluble proteins and structure-bound proteins (including membrane proteins). Both fractions differed markedly in the overall protein composition as determined by 2-DE. The 50 most abundant protein spots in each fraction were identified by peptide mass fingerprinting. We detected four cag PAI proteins, numerous outer membrane proteins (OMPs), the vacuolating cytotoxin VacA, other potential virulence factors, and few ribosomal proteins in the structure-bound fraction. In contrast, catalase (KatA), gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (Ggt), and the neutrophil-activating protein NapA were found almost exclusively in the soluble protein fraction. The results presented here are an important complement to genome sequence data, and the established 2-D PAGE maps provide a basis for comparative studies of the H. pylori proteome. Such subproteomes in the public domain will be effective instruments for identifying new virulence factors and antigens of potential diagnostic and/or curative value against infections with this important pathogen.     

Characterisation of global protein expression by two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry: proteomics of Toxoplasma gondii.

The development of tools for the analysis of global gene expression is vital for the optimal exploitation of the data on parasite genomes that are now being generated in abundance. Recent advances in two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), mass spectrometry and bioinformatics have greatly enhanced the possibilities for mapping and characterisation of protein populations. We have employed these developments in a proteomics approach for the analysis of proteins expressed in the tachyzoite stage of Toxoplasma gondii. Over 1000 polypeptides were reproducibly separated by high-resolution 2-DE using the pH ranges 4-7 and 6-11. Further separations using narrow range gels suggest that at least 3000-4000 polypeptides should be resolvable by 2-DE using multiple single pH unit gels. Mass spectrometry was used to characterise a variety of protein spots on the 2-DE gels. Peptide mass fingerprints, acquired by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-(MALDI) mass spectrometry, enabled unambiguous protein identifications to be made where full gene sequence information was available. However, interpretation of peptide mass fingerprint data using the T. gondii expressed sequence tag (EST) database was less reliable. Peptide fragmentation data, acquired by post-source decay mass spectrometry, proved a more successful strategy for the putative identification of proteins using the T. gondii EST database and protein databases from other organisms. In some instances, several protein spots appeared to be encoded by the same gene, indicating that post-translational modification and/or alternative splicing events may be a common feature of functional gene expression in T. gondii. The data demonstrate that proteomic analyses are now viable for T. gondii and other protozoa for which there are good EST databases, even in the absence of complete genome sequence. Moreover, proteomics is of great value in interpreting and annotating EST databases.     

Proteome analysis of Rickettsia conorii by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled with mass spectrometry

The availability of genome sequence offers the opportunity to further expand our knowledge about proteins expressed by Rickettsia conorii, strictly intracellular bacterium responsible for Mediterranean spotted fever. Using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis combined with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, we established the first reference map of R. conorii proteome. This approach also allowed identification of GroEL as the major antigen recognized by rabbit serum and sera of infected patients. Altogether, this work opens the way to characterize the proteome of R. conorii, to compare protein profiles of different isolates or of bacteria maintained under different experimental conditions and to identify immunogenic proteins as potential vaccine targets.     

Fluorescence two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry based proteomic analysis of Escherichia coli

Separation and relative quantitation of complex protein mixtures remain two of the most challenging aspects of proteomics. Here an advanced technique called fluorescence difference 2-D gel electrophoresis technology (2D-DIGE) has been applied to a model system study of the Escherichia coli proteome after benzoic acid treatment. The molecular weight and charge matched cyanine dyes enable pre-electrophoretic labelling of control and treated samples which are then mixed and run in the same gel. Pooled control and treated samples labelled with Cy trade mark 3 were used as an internal standard for both Cy5 labelled control and treated E. coli samples. Together with DeCyder trade mark imaging analysis software, more accurate quantitative analysis than conventional two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was achieved. Using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight and quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry a total of 179 differentially expressed protein spots were identified. These included enzymes, stress related and substrate (e.g. amino acids, maltose, ribose and TRP repressor) binding proteins. Of the spots analysed, 77% contained only one protein species per spot, hence the change in protein expression measured was solely attributed to the identified protein. Many membrane proteins and protein isoforms were identified indicating both adequate solubilization of E. coli samples and potential post-translational modification. The results indicate that the regulatory mechanisms following benzoic acid treatment of E. coli are far more complicated than hitherto expected.     

Lipoproteomics II: mapping of proteins in high-density lipoprotein using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is the most abundant lipoprotein particle in the plasma and a negative risk factor of atherosclerosis. By using a proteomic approach it is possible to obtain detailed information about its protein content and protein modifications that may give new information about the physiological roles of HDL. In this study the two subfractions; HDL(2) and HDL(3), were isolated by two-step discontinuous density-gradient ultracentrifugation and the proteins were separated with two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and identified with peptide mass fingerprinting, using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time of flight mass spectrometry. Identified proteins in HDL were: the dominating apo A-I as six isoforms, four of them with a glycosylation pattern and one of them with retained propeptide, apolipoprotein (apo) A-II, apo A-IV, apo C-I, apo C-II, apo C-III (two isoforms), apo E (five isoforms), the recently discovered apo M (two isoforms), serum amyloid A (two isoforms) and serum amyloid A-IV (six isoforms). Furthermore, alpha-1-antitrypsin was identified in HDL for the first time. Additionally, salivary alpha-amylase was identified as two isoforms in HDL(2), and apo L and a glycosylated apo A-II were identified in HDL(3). Besides confirming the presence of different apolipoproteins, this study indicates new patterns of glycosylated apo A-I and apo A-II. Furthermore, the study reveals new proteins in HDL; alpha-1-antitrypsin and salivary alpha-amylase. Further investigations about these proteins may give new insight into the functional role of HDL in coronary artery diseases.     

Identification of O-linked N-acetylglucosamine proteins in rat skeletal muscle using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry

O-linked N-acetylglucosaminylation (O-GlcNAc) is a regulatory post-translational modification of nucleo-cytoplasmic proteins that has a complex interplay with phosphorylation. O-GlcNAc has been described as a nutritional sensor, the level of UDP-GlcNAc that serves as a donor for the uridine diphospho-N-acetylglucosamine:polypeptide beta-N-acetyl-glucosaminyltransferase being regulated by the cellular fate of glucose. Because muscular contraction is both dependent on glucose metabolism and is highly regulated by phosphorylation/dephosphorylation processes, we decided to investigate the identification of O-GlcNAc-modified proteins in skeletal muscle using a proteomic approach. Fourteen proteins were identified as being O-GlcNAc modified. These proteins can be classified in three main classes: i) proteins implicated in the signal transduction and in the translocation between the cytoplasm and the nucleus or structural proteins, ii) proteins of the glycolytic pathway and energetic metabolism, and iii) contractile proteins (myosin heavy chain). A decrease in the O-GlcNAc level was measured in the slow postural soleus muscle after 14-day hindlimb unloading, a model of functional atrophy characterized by a decrease in the force of contraction. These results strongly suggest that O-GlcNAc modification may serve as an important regulation system in skeletal muscle physiology.     

Extensive analysis of the human platelet proteome by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry

Platelets play a key role in the control of bleeding and wound healing, contributing to the formation of vascular plugs. Under pathologic circumstances, they are involved in thrombotic disorders, including heart disease. Since platelets do not have a nucleus, proteomics offers a powerful alternative approach to provide data on protein expression in these cells, helping to address their biology. In this publication we extend the previously reported analysis of the pI 4-5 region of the human platelet proteome to the pI 5-11 region. By using narrow pI range two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) for protein separation followed by high-throughput tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) for protein identification, we were able to identify 760 protein features, corresponding to 311 different genes, resulting in the annotation of 54% of the pI 5-11 range 2-DE proteome map. We evaluated the physicochemical properties and functions of the identified platelet proteome. Importantly, the main group of proteins identified is involved in intracellular signalling and regulation of the cytoskeleton. In addition, 11 hypothetical proteins are reported. In conclusion, this study provides a unique inventory of the platelet proteome, contributing to our understanding of platelet function and building the basis for the identification of new drug targets.     

Using immobilized metal affinity chromatography, two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry to identify hepatocellular proteins with copper-binding ability

To further our knowledge of intracellular copper transport, we used a proteomics strategy to search for hepatic proteins with copper-binding ability. Hep G2 cytosolic and microsomal fractions were applied to a copper(II)-loaded immobilized metal-affinity chromatography (IMAC) column. Protein identification was performed with 2-D gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. We identified 48 cytosolic proteins and 19 microsomal proteins displaying copper-binding ability. These proteins are diverse in function. Fifty-two of the 67 proteins contain putative metal-binding domains. We have identified many components of the Hep G2 copper metalloproteome including a large number of proteins not previously known to bind copper.     

Lipoproteomics I: mapping of proteins in low-density lipoprotein using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry

The molecular mechanisms underlying the relationship between low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and the risk of atherosclerosis are not clear. Therefore, detailed information about the protein composition of LDL may contribute to reveal its role in atherogenesis and the mechanisms that lead to coronary disease in humans. Here, we sought to map the proteins in human LDL by a proteomic approach. LDL was isolated by two-step discontinuous density-gradient ultracentrifugation and the proteins were separated with two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and identified with peptide mass fingerprinting, using matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry and with amino acid sequencing using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. These procedures identified apo B-100, apo C-II, apo C-III (three isoforms), apo E (four isoforms), apo A-I (two isoforms), apo A-IV, apo J and apo M (three isoforms not previously described). In addition, three proteins that have not previously been identified in LDL were found: serum amyloid A-IV (two isoforms), calgranulin A, and lysozyme C. The identities of apo M, calgranulin A, and lysozyme C were confirmed by sequence information obtained after collision-induced dissociation fragmentation of peptides characteristic for these proteins. Moreover, the presence of lysozyme C was further corroborated by demonstrating enriched hydrolytic activity in LDL against Micrococcus lysodeikticus. These results indicate that in addition to the dominating apo B-100, LDL contains a number of other apolipoproteins, many of which occur in different isoforms. The demonstration, for the first time, that LDL contains calgranulin A and lysozyme C raises the possibility that LDL proteins may play hitherto unknown role(s) in immune and inflammatory reactions of the arterial wall.