Lipoprotein metabolism

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Lipoprotein Structure - Greasy Little Packets

Lipoprotein Particle Diagram

  • General Structure: Spherical particles composed of a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic shell, allowing transport of lipids in aqueous plasma.
    • Core: Triglycerides & cholesteryl esters (nonpolar).
    • Shell: Apolipoproteins, phospholipids, & free cholesterol (amphipathic).
  • Apolipoproteins: Key surface proteins that function as enzyme cofactors (e.g., C-II for LPL) and receptor ligands (e.g., B-100 for LDL-R).
  • Classification (by ↑ density): Chylomicron → VLDL → IDL → LDL → HDL.

⭐ LDL ("Lousy" cholesterol) is the primary transporter of cholesterol to peripheral tissues. Elevated levels are a major risk factor for atherosclerosis.

Exogenous Pathway - The Gut-to-Guts Route

📌 Mnemonic: 'Exogenous' = 'Eats' (dietary fat).

  • Chylomicrons: Formed in intestines with ApoB-48 to transport dietary TGs/cholesterol.
  • Maturation: HDL donates ApoC-II (LPL activator) & ApoE (hepatic uptake).
  • Clearance: LPL releases FFAs to periphery; remnants cleared by liver via ApoE.

Lipoprotein Metabolism: Exogenous and Endogenous Pathways

⭐ Deficiency in LPL or ApoC-II causes Type 1 hyperlipoproteinemia (Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome), presenting with acute pancreatitis.

Endogenous Pathway - Liver's Delivery Service

  • Origin: Liver synthesizes VLDL particles, which contain endogenous triglycerides and cholesterol, tagged with ApoB-100.
  • Metabolism:
    • VLDL is released into circulation.
    • Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL) on endothelial cells hydrolyzes triglycerides, transforming VLDL → IDL.
    • Hepatic Lipase (HL) in the liver removes more triglycerides, converting IDL → LDL.
  • Destination: LDL delivers cholesterol to peripheral tissues and the liver via LDL-receptor binding (ApoB-100 mediated).

Endogenous Lipoprotein Metabolism: VLDL, IDL, LDL Pathway

⭐ In Familial Hypercholesterolemia, defective LDL receptors (or ApoB-100) prevent LDL uptake, causing markedly elevated plasma LDL and premature cardiovascular disease.

Reverse Transport - The Cleanup Crew

  • Nascent HDL: Secreted from the liver and intestine, containing ApoA-I. It extracts cholesterol from peripheral tissues.
  • LCAT: Lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase, activated by ApoA-I, esterifies cholesterol. This traps it within the HDL core, forming mature HDL.
  • CETP: Cholesteryl ester transfer protein mediates the transfer of these cholesterol esters to VLDL/IDL in exchange for triglycerides.

Tangier Disease: A deficiency in the ABCA1 transporter prevents cholesterol loading onto nascent HDL. This leads to very low HDL levels, peripheral neuropathy, and pathognomonic orange-colored tonsils.

Reverse Cholesterol Transport and HDL Metabolism

Dyslipidemias - When Lipids Go Rogue

Familial dyslipidemias are genetic disorders of lipoprotein metabolism. The Fredrickson classification categorizes them based on specific lipoprotein elevations.

TypeDefect↑ LipoproteinKey Clinical Finding
ILPL / ApoC-IIChylomicronsAcute pancreatitis, eruptive xanthomas
IIaLDL-RLDLTendon xanthomas, premature CAD
IIb↑ ApoBLDL, VLDLIncreased risk of CAD
IIIApoEIDL (Remnants)Palmar/tuboeruptive xanthomas
IV↑ VLDL prod.VLDLAssociated with insulin resistance

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Chylomicrons transport dietary triglycerides from the intestine; VLDL transports hepatic triglycerides from the liver.
  • Lipoprotein lipase (LPL), activated by ApoC-II, degrades triglycerides in chylomicrons and VLDL.
  • LDL is the primary carrier of cholesterol to peripheral tissues; elevated levels are atherogenic.
  • HDL facilitates reverse cholesterol transport from the periphery to the liver.
  • ApoB-100 is the ligand for the LDL receptor; ApoA-I activates LCAT for HDL maturation.

Practice Questions: Lipoprotein metabolism

Test your understanding with these related questions

A scientist is trying to design a drug to modulate cellular metabolism in the treatment of obesity. Specifically, he is interested in understanding how fats are processed in adipocytes in response to different energy states. His target is a protein within these cells that catalyzes catabolism of an energy source. The products of this reaction are subsequently used in gluconeogenesis or β-oxidation. Which of the following is true of the most likely protein that is being studied by this scientist?

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Flashcards: Lipoprotein metabolism

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What is the mode of inheritance of type IIa familial dyslipidemia?_____

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

What is the mode of inheritance of type IIa familial dyslipidemia?_____

Autosomal dominant

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