2] Molecular and cell biology of lipoprotein biosynthesis

Abstract

Publisher Summary Lipoproteins are lipid–protein complexes that transport lipid in a water-miscible form in the plasma, and many of the techniques in molecular biology have been applied recently to the study of plasma lipoproteins. This chapter highlights some of the recent findings on the genetics and cell biology of lipoprotein metabolism The chapter also illustrates how the molecular approach is an extremely promising one for investigating the complex processes of lipid transport and lipid metabolism. Much of the knowledge of lipoprotein metabolism and atherogenesis has been derived from individuals with genetic defects. The studies on patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) have elucidated the role of the LDL receptor in lipoprotein metabolism and have also shed light on the basic cellular process of receptor-mediated endocytosis. Although a great deal has been learned about the structure and function of lipoproteins, very little is known about the biosynthesis of lipoproteins. Some of the early events in apolipoprotein synthesis have been identified, but how apolipoproteins are assembled with lipid into lipoprotein particles is an unresolved question.