Apolipoprotein physical properties

Lipoproteins are globular, micelle-like particles consisting of a hydrophobic core of triacylglycerols and cholesterol esters surrounded by an amphipathic coat of protein, phospholipid and cholesterol. The apolipoproteins (apoproteins) on the surface of the lipoproteins help to solubilize the lipids and target the lipoproteins to the correct tissues. There are five different types of lipoprotein, classified according to their functional and physical properties chylomicrons, very low density lipoproteins (VLDLs), intermediate density lipoproteins (IDLs), low density lipoproteins (LDLs), and high density lipoproteins (HDLs). The major function of lipoproteins is to transport triacylglycerols, cholesterol and phospholipids around the body. 

Table III is a compilation of physical and chemical properties derived from COMBO analyses of the different sets of potential amphipathic helical classes from all exchangeable apolipoproteins. Two of these physical and chemical properties distinguish the class A2 amphipathic helices from the rest (1) both the mean hydrophobic moment ((/ih)) and the...

---