title: Thermal unfolding of human high-density apolipoprotein A-1: implications for a lipid-free molten globular state.
abstract: Apolipoprotein A-1 (apoA-1) in complex with high-density lipoprotein is critically involved in the transport and metabolism of cholesterol and in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. We reexamined the thermal unfolding of lipid-free apoA-1 in low-salt solution at pH approximately 7, by using differential scanning calorimetry and circular dichroism. At protein concentrations <5 mg/ml, thermal unfolding of apoA-1 is resolved as an extended peak (25 degrees C-90 degrees C) that can be largely accounted for by a single reversible non-two-state transition with midpoint Tm 57 +/- 1 degree C, calorimetric enthalpy deltaH(Tm)= 200 +/- 20 kcal/mol (1 kcal = 4.18 kJ), van't Hoff enthalpy deltaHv(Tm) approximately 32.5 kcal/mol, and cooperativity deltaHv(Tm)/deltaH(Tm) approximately 0.16. The enthalpy deltaH(Tm) can be accounted for by melting of the alpha-helical structure that is inferred by CD to constitute approximately 60% of apoA-1 amino acids. Farand near-UV CD spectra reveal noncoincident melting of the secondary and tertiary structural elements and indicate a well-defined secondary structure but a largely melted tertiary structure for apoA-1 at approximately 37 degrees C and pH 7. This suggests a molten globular-like state for lipid-free apoA-1 under near-physiological conditions. Our results suggest that in vivo lipid binding by apoA-1 may be mediated via the molten globular apolipoprotein state in plasma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, MA 02118, USA.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gursky
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Atkinson
mesh_terms: D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning / Q000379:methods; D002942:Circular Dichroism; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007700:Kinetics; D008433:Mathematics; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011489:Protein Denaturation; D017510:Protein Folding
chemical_list: D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I