[Distribution of the apolipoprotein-E and -E-complexes in lipoproteins of human serum with the apolipoprotein-E4/E3 phenotype].

Distribution of apolipoprotein(apo) E4 and E3 in lipoproteins of serum with apoE4/E3 phenotype was analyzed. ApoE was eluted in two major peaks by gel chromatography; peak 1 and 2 corresponding to very- and intermediate-low density lipoprotein (VLDL + IDL) and high density lipoprotein2 (HDL2), respectively. ApoE in peak 1 (VLDL + IDL) consisted of monomers of 34 kDa, complexes with a high molecular weight (apoEs) of 100 kDa and with a small amount of apoE-AII complexes weighing 43 kDa. In contrast, apoE in peak 2 (HDL2) was composed mainly of apoE-AII complexes and apoEs complexes, and a small amount of monomers. Both apoE3 and E4 isoforms were detected in these peaks; E4 was more predominant in peak 1 while E3 was more predominant in peak 2. These findings suggest that different distributions of apoE3 and E4 in lipoprotein particles.