Apolipoprotein C-II: New Findings Related to Genetics, Biochemistry, and Role in Triglyceride Metabolism

Overview

Journal Atherosclerosis

Publisher Elsevier

Specialty Cardiology & Vascular Diseases

Date 2017 Nov 4

PMID 29100061

Citations 100

Authors

Anna Wolska

Richard L Dunbar

Lita A Freeman

Masako Ueda

Marcelo J Amar

Denis O Sviridov

Alan T Remaley

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Apolipoprotein C-II (apoC-II) is a small exchangeable apolipoprotein found on triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL), such as chylomicrons (CM) and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), and on high-density lipoproteins (HDL), particularly during fasting. ApoC-II plays a critical role in TRL metabolism by acting as a cofactor of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), the main enzyme that hydrolyses plasma triglycerides (TG) on TRL. Here, we present an overview of the role of apoC-II in TG metabolism, emphasizing recent novel findings regarding its transcriptional regulation and biochemistry. We also review the 24 genetic mutations in the APOC2 gene reported to date that cause hypertriglyceridemia (HTG). Finally, we describe the clinical presentation of apoC-II deficiency and assess the current therapeutic approaches, as well as potential novel emerging therapies.

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