Production of lipoprotein(a) by primary baboon hepatocytes.
Primary baboon hepatocytes were cultured in a serum-free medium formulation that permitted the analysis of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a] production by the cells. The hepatocytes were determined to synthesize Lp(a) on the basis of the following observations: (1) the culture medium reacted in an ELISA designed for detection of baboon Lp(a) in serum samples; (2) the Lp(a)-specific protein, apo(a), was detected in the culture medium by immunoblotting techniques; (3) the unique protein structure of Lp(a) was demonstrated (i.e., association of apo(a) with apoB via interchain disulfide bonds to form apoLp(a]; and (4) the Lp(a) proteins occurred in the medium at a density of about 1.05 g/ml when subjected to density gradient ultracentrifugation. De novo synthesis of Lp(a) by cultured hepatocytes was demonstrated by incorporation of [35S]cysteine. Lp(a) was produced by the hepatocytes throughout a 20 day culture period. Finally, apo(a) isoform patterns in the hepatocyte culture medium and the hepatocyte donors' serum were indistinguishable.
Rainwater
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Department of Genetics, Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, San Antonio, TX 78284.
Lanford
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D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015151:Immunoblotting; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010215:Papio
D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D008074:Lipoproteins