Lipoproteins

•Lipoproteins are composed of hydrophilic, hydrophobic and amphipathic molecules.

•Lipoprotein particles contain triacylglycerols, cholesterol, phospholipids, and proteins

(apolipoproteins).

•They also transport fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A and vitamin E.

•The hydrophobic cholesteryl esters and triacylglycerols reside in the core of the
lipoprotein particles and amphipathic phospholipids and free cholesterol, together with
apolipoproteins, form their outer layer.
The Lipoproteins:
Processing and
Transport of Fats
 Chyclomicron (CM)

Dietary fats are packaged by the

enterocytes into chylomicrons, a very
large type of lipid-protein complex or
lipoprotein, for export to other organs.
The triacylglycerols and cholesteryl esters form the hydrophobic
core of the chylomicrons, which are coated with surface
phospholipids, free cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B-48
Chylomicrons are discharged
from the enterocytes by
exocytosis into lacteals, which
are lymphatic vessels that
originate in the intestinal villi,
drain into the cisternae chyli,
and follow a course through
the thoracic ducts to enter the
bloodstream through the left
subclavian vein.
Very Low Density VLDLS have high triacylglycerol content and
are used to distribute fatty acids throughout the
Lipoprotein(VLDL) body.

• They are assembled in the liver and secreted into

the bloodstream.

• The action of lipoprotein lipase lining the blood

vessels degrades the triacylglycerols, releasing fatty
acids locally for cellular uptake.

• In addition, triacylglycerols can be transferred to

HDL particles transformin the VLDL into LDL.
 LDL particles, the main carriers of cholesterol
Low Density Lipoprotein(LDL) in the bloodstream, are taken
up into cells by a receptor-mediated
mechanism.

• The protein components of the LDL particles are degraded

to amino acids.

• Cholesterol is then used by all cells as a component of the plasma

membrane and other structures.

• Much of the LDL cholesterol is taken up by cells of the

liver, where it is usedto make bile acids.

• Many steroidogenic tissues synthesize steroid hormones

from the cholesterol provided by LDL particles.
 HDL particles have several functions, but among the
High Density Lipoprotein(HDL) most important is transport of excess cholesterol
scavenged from the cell membranes back to the liver, a​
process called reverse cholesterol transport.

• HDL particles extract cholesterol from peripheral membranes

and, after esterification of cholesterol to a fatty acid, the
cholesteryl esters are delivered to the liver (to make bile salts) or
steroidogenic tissues (precursor of steroids).

• In this way, HDL particles participate in disposal of

cholesterol, and thus,a high HDL concentration is
considered a protective factor against the development of
cardiovascular disease.
Structure and function of apolipoproteins
 PATHWAYS OF
LIPOPROTEIN METABOLISM
• The fuel transport pathway
• The overflow pathway
 THE FUEL TRANSPORT PATHWAY

• In the fed state, chylomicrons transport triglycerides to the periphery, where the
LPL hydrolyzes the them, liberating the fatty acids into cells.

• Chylomicron remnants are metabolized in the liver, after binding through the
apoE to the LDL receptor, and also to the LRP. The VLDL particles transport
fuel from the liver to peripheral tissues. The VLDL remnants, similarly to the
chylomicron remnants, return to the liver.
 THE FUEL TRANSPORT PATHWAY
• Approximately 65% are taken up after binding to the apoB/E receptor, and the
remaining ones are hydrolyzed by HTGL, yielding the LDL particles.

• The triglyceride-rich particles (chylomicrons, VLDL and the remnant particles)

acquire additional cholesteryl esters from the HDL in exchange for triglycerides.

• In clinical practice, the marker of the activity of the fuel transport pathway is the
measurement of plasma triglycerides.
 • The LDL particles are generated from remnants in the fuel
transport pathway, and are cholesterol-rich.
THE
OVERFLO • The LDL are taken up by the apoB/E receptor in response to

W a decrease in intracellular cholesterol concentration.

PATHWAY
the pathway of LDL
metabolism • In clinical practice, the markers of activity of the overflow
pathway are the measurements of plasma total cholesterol and
LDL-C LPL, lipoprotein lipase, LRP, LDL-receptor-related
protein, HTGL, hepatic triglyceride lipase
Pathways of lipoprotein metabolism
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