Purification of human plasma lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase and its activation by metal ions.

Lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) has been purified from human plasma by sequential preparative ultracentrifugation, ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel, and affinity chromatography on HDL-Sepharose and on wheat germ agglutinin-Sepharose. After the final step, which included preparative electrophoresis or alternatively, chromatography on hydroxylapatite, a purification of about 24 000-fold was obtained. The LCAT preparation was pure according to alkaline polyacrylamide and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and did not react against antisera to apo AI, AII, and D. The LCAT preparation obtained by preparative electrophoresis was stimulated by Cu2+, Ni2+, Co2+, and Zn2+ at both stages of the reaction, phospholipase reaction and cholesterol esterification. This stimulatory effect was abolished by EDTA.