title: Apolipoproteins and amyloid fibril formation in atherosclerosis.
abstract: Amyloid fibrils arise from the aggregation of misfolded proteins into highly-ordered structures. The accumulation of these fibrils along with some non-fibrillar constituents within amyloid plaques is associated with the pathogenesis of several human degenerative diseases. A number of plasma apolipoproteins, including apolipoprotein (apo) A-I, apoA-II, apoC-II and apoE are implicated in amyloid formation or influence amyloid formation by other proteins. We review present knowledge of amyloid formation by apolipoproteins in disease, with particular focus on atherosclerosis. Further insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying their amyloidogenic propensity are obtained from in vitro studies which describe factors affecting apolipoprotein amyloid fibril formation and interactions. Additionally, we outline the evidence that amyloid fibril formation by apolipoproteins might play a role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis, and highlight possible molecular mechanisms that could contribute to the pathogenesis of this disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Chai Lean
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Teoh
authors.forename: Michael D W
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.forename: Geoffrey J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Howlett
mesh_terms: D000682:Amyloid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D001053:Apolipoproteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D018832:Molecular Chaperones / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000682:Amyloid; D001053:Apolipoproteins; D018832:Molecular Chaperones; D010743:Phospholipids