title: Activation of phosphatidylcholine-sterol acyltransferase by human apolipoprotein E isoforms.
abstract: The reaction catalysed by phosphatidylcholine-sterol acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.43) is believed to be the major source of cholesteryl ester in human plasma; the enzyme requires a protein activator. Several human apolipoproteins were found to exhibit an activator function, the major one being apolipoprotein A-I. Human apolipoprotein E exists in the population mainly in three different genetic isoforms; apolipoprotein E-2, E-3 and E-4. These isopeptides were isolated from subjects homozygous for one of the isoforms, incorporated into phospholipid/cholesterol/[14C]cholesterol complexes by the cholate dialysis procedure and used to measure capacity to activate phosphatidylcholine-sterol acyltransferase in comparison to apolipoprotein A-I lipid substrate particles prepared by the same procedure. Acyltransferase activity was measured by the formation of [14C]cholesteryl ester from [14C]cholesterol using purified enzyme. With egg yolk phosphatidylcholine as acyl donor, apo E was 15-19% as efficient as apolipoprotein A-I for activation of the acyltransferase. Apo-E-stimulated cholesteryl ester formation by the enzyme was enhanced when 1-oleoyl-2-palmitoyl-glycerophosphocholine was used as a substrate phospholipid (45% of apo A-I/phosphatidylcholine control) and most pronounced with dimyristoylglycerophosphocholine (75% of apo A-I/phosphatidylcholine control). No significant difference in activation was found between apo E isoforms. It is concluded that apolipoprotein E activates phosphatidylcholine-sterol acyltransferase in vitro and that apolipoprotein E isoforms are similarly effective.
mesh_terms: D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D002788:Cholesterol Esters / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007536:Isomerism; D007862:Phosphatidylcholine-Sterol O-Acyltransferase / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D002788:Cholesterol Esters; D007862:Phosphatidylcholine-Sterol O-Acyltransferase