Isolation of human apolipoprotein E by chromatofocusing.

Human prolipoprotein E is implicated in the transport of serum cholesterol and the binding of lipoproteins to cell receptors. Further investigations on this apolipoprotein would be facilitated by improved purification methods. We prepared human apo E by the combination of high performance gel filtration and chromatofocusing from serum very low density lipoproteins. Chromatofocusing was performed with a pH gradient from 7 to 4. Apo E contained all isoforms, but was homogeneous in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and in double immunodiffusion against a monospecific antiserum. The reported purification method allows a rapid and simple preparation of large amounts of apo E.