Abstract
Lipid transfer particle (LTP) is a high-molecular-weight, very high-density lipoprotein known to catalyze the transfer of lipids between a variety of lipoproteins, including both insects and vertebrates. Studying the biosynthesis and regulation pathways of LTP in detail has not been possible due to a lack of information regarding the apoproteins. Here, we sequenced the cDNA and deduced amino acid sequences for three apoproteins of LTP from the silkworm (Bombyx mori). The three subunit proteins of the LTP are coded by two genes, apoLTP-II/I and apoLTP-III. ApoLTP-I and apoLTP-II are predicted to be generated by posttranslational cleavage of the precursor protein, apoLTP-II/I. Clusters of amphipathic secondary structure within apoLTP-II/I are similar to Homo sapiens apolipoprotein B (apoB) and insect lipophorins. The apoLTP-II/I gene is a novel member of the apoB/large lipid transfer protein gene family. ApoLTP-III has a putative conserved juvenile hormone-binding protein superfamily domain. Expression of apoLTP-II/I and apoLTP-III genes was synchronized and both genes were primarily expressed in the fat body at the stage corresponding to increased lipid transport needs. We are now in a position to study in detail the physiological role of LTP and its biosynthesis and assembly.
Highlights
Lipid transfer particle (LTP) is a high-molecularweight, very high-density lipoprotein known to catalyze the transfer of lipids between a variety of lipoproteins, including both insects and vertebrates
The three subunit proteins of B. mori LTP are coded by two genes, apoLTP-II/I and apoLTP-III
ApoLTP-II/I from the silkworm (B. mori) is a novel member of the apolipoprotein B (apoB)/ large lipid transfer protein (APO) family, which is similar to H. sapiens apoB and insect lipophorins
Summary
Lipid transfer particle (LTP) is a high-molecularweight, very high-density lipoprotein known to catalyze the transfer of lipids between a variety of lipoproteins, including both insects and vertebrates. The apoLTP-II/I gene is a novel member of the apoB/large lipid transfer protein gene family. Expression of apoLTP-II/I and apoLTP-III genes was synchronized and both genes were primarily expressed in the fat body at the stage corresponding to increased lipid transport needs. Lipid transfer particle from the silkworm, Bombyx mori, is a novel member of the apoB/large lipid transfer protein family. LTP from B. mori is a very high density lipoprotein consisting of approximately 20% lipids and three apolipoproteins (apoLTP-I, apoLTP-II, and apoLTP-III) [6]. LTP can catalyze the exchange and/or transfer of DAG between lipophorin particles with different densities [9], between lipophorins and human lipoproteins [10], or from the fat body to lipophorin, facilitating the formation of low-density lipophorin (LDLp) in vitro [11]. LTP may be Supplementary key words lipophorin juvenile hormone-binding protein lipid exchange and transport.
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