Activation of lipoprotein lipase by native and acylated peptides of apolipoprotein C-II.

Apolipoprotein C-II, a protein found associated with all major classes of plasma lipoproteins, is a potent activator of the enzyme lipoprotein lipase. We have prepared the maleyl, citraconyl and succinyl derivatives of apolipoprotein C-II, and compared the capacities of the intact and tryptically cleaved proteins to activate lipoprotein lipase. The NH2-terminal 50 residue peptide proved virtually inactive, even after removal of the masking groups from the citraconyl derivative. The COOH-terminal 29 residue peptides of maleyl and citraconyl apolipoprotein C-II were more active than the corresponding succinylated peptide. After deacylation of the citraconyl derivative, the COOH-terminal peptide had maximal activity as great as apolipoprotein C-II, although the profile of activation remained dissimilar at low activator concentrations.