Elucidation of lipoprotein particles structure by proteomic analysis

Abstract

Lipoproteins are responsible for lipid packaging and transport through the bloodstream, and for their delivery to target tissues. Their participation in process, such as inflammation and innate immunity has also been suggested recently. Lipoprotein particles have very complex biochemical structures, which result from intricate processes involving coordinated mechanisms of protein and lipid synthesis, intracellular assembling and trafficking, and intra- and extracellular metabolism. Alterations in these mechanisms cause several negative effects on human health. The ability of current proteomic approaches to dissect the dynamic nature of complex particles revealing protein composition and post-translational modifications is shedding further light on lipoprotein structures and functions. This review summarizes lipoprotein classification, biogenesis and metabolism as well as discussing how the results of 20 proteomics-based reports integrate our knowledge on both their biochemical composition and their effects on target cells, thus contributing to reveal the possible functions.

Keywords::

• apolipoprotein
• lipid metabolism
• lipoprotein
• mass spectrometry
• oxidized low-density lipoprotein
• proteomics

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This study was supported by grants from Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro; Ministero della Salute; Ministero dell’Università e Ricerca Scientifica. The contract grant sponsor for this study was the Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro; Ministero della Salute; MIUR Ministero dell’Università e Ricerca Scientifica. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.