Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 1988:11 Suppl 1:4-17.
doi: 10.1007/BF01800566.

The biochemistry of lipoproteins

A M Salter  1 , D N Brindley
Affiliations
Review

The biochemistry of lipoproteins

A M Salter et al. J Inherit Metab Dis. 1988.

Abstract

Lipids are transported in the blood in four major classes of lipoproteins. The triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins are chylomicrons and very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) which are produced by the small intestine and liver, respectively. These lipoproteins mainly carry fatty acids to adipose tissue and muscle where the triacylglycerol is hydrolysed by lipoprotein lipase. The resulting particles that remain in the blood are chylomicron remnants and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), respectively. The remnant is taken up by the liver via endocytosis which is mediated by a specific receptor for apolipoprotein E (apoE). LDL, which are rich in cholesterol, can also be taken up by the liver or extrahepatic tissues by a receptor-mediated endocytosis that specifically recognises apoB or apoE. 'Nascent' high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles are secreted by the liver and intestine and then undergo modification to become HDL3 and then HDL2 as they acquire cholesterol ester. They facilitate the reverse transport of cholesterol back to the liver. Little is known of the hormonal regulation of lipoprotein uptake by the liver. Recently, we have shown that insulin and tri-iodothyronine (T3) increase the specific binding of LDL to cultured hepatocytes whereas dexamethasone (a synthetic glucocorticoid) has the opposite effect. The changes in binding produced by insulin and dexamethasone are paralleled by alterations in the rate of degradation of apoB. These findings may in part explain the hypercholesterolaemia and increased risk of premature atherosclerosis that can be associated with poorly controlled diabetes or hypothyroidism.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

  • Introduction to Lipids and Lipoproteins.
    Feingold KR. Feingold KR. 2024 Jan 14. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Blackman MR, Boyce A, Chrousos G, Corpas E, de Herder WW, Dhatariya K, Dungan K, Hofland J, Kalra S, Kaltsas G, Kapoor N, Koch C, Kopp P, Korbonits M, Kovacs CS, Kuohung W, Laferrère B, Levy M, McGee EA, McLachlan R, New M, Purnell J, Sahay R, Shah AS, Singer F, Sperling MA, Stratakis CA, Trence DL, Wilson DP, editors. Endotext [Internet]. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2000–. 2024 Jan 14. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Blackman MR, Boyce A, Chrousos G, Corpas E, de Herder WW, Dhatariya K, Dungan K, Hofland J, Kalra S, Kaltsas G, Kapoor N, Koch C, Kopp P, Korbonits M, Kovacs CS, Kuohung W, Laferrère B, Levy M, McGee EA, McLachlan R, New M, Purnell J, Sahay R, Shah AS, Singer F, Sperling MA, Stratakis CA, Trence DL, Wilson DP, editors. Endotext [Internet]. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2000–. PMID: 26247089 Free Books & Documents. Review.
  • Recent advances in physiological lipoprotein metabolism.
    Ramasamy I. Ramasamy I. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2014 Dec;52(12):1695-727. doi: 10.1515/cclm-2013-0358. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2014. PMID: 23940067 Review.
  • [Physiology and pathophysiology of the metabolism of lipoproteins].
    Sandhofer F. Sandhofer F. Wien Med Wochenschr. 1994;144(12-13):286-90. Wien Med Wochenschr. 1994. PMID: 8650930 Review. German.
  • Hepatocytic lipoprotein receptors and intracellular lipoprotein catabolism.
    Havel RJ, Hamilton RL. Havel RJ, et al. Hepatology. 1988 Nov-Dec;8(6):1689-704. doi: 10.1002/hep.1840080637. Hepatology. 1988. PMID: 2847970 Review.
  • Interrelationship of triglycerides with lipoproteins and high-density lipoproteins.
    Gotto AM Jr. Gotto AM Jr. Am J Cardiol. 1990 Sep 4;66(6):20A-23A. doi: 10.1016/0002-9149(90)90565-i. Am J Cardiol. 1990. PMID: 2203246 Review.
See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. J Biol Chem. 1981 Aug 25;256(16):8348-56 - PubMed
    1. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1983 May 24;737(2):197-222 - PubMed
    1. J Biol Chem. 1987 Jun 5;262(16):7439-42 - PubMed
    1. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1986 Feb 12;875(2):236-46 - PubMed
    1. J Clin Invest. 1985 Jun;75(6):1804-12 - PubMed

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources