Cited by 1,836Alzheimer's disease research and treatmentsLipoproteins and Cardiovascular HealthLipid metabolism and disorders

Apolipoprotein E: Far More Than a Lipid Transport Protein

Mahley, Robert W., Rall, Stanley C.·2000·Annual Review of Genomics and Human Genetics

Abstract

First recognized as a major determinant in lipoprotein metabolism and cardiovascular disease, apolipoprotein (apo) E has emerged as an important molecule in several biological processes not directly related to its lipid transport function, including Alzheimer's disease and cognitive function, immunoregulation, and possibly even infectious diseases. ApoE is a polymorphic protein arising from three alleles at a single gene locus. The three major isoforms, apoE4, apoE3, and apoE2, differ from one another only by single amino acid substitutions, yet these changes have profound functional consequences at both the cellular and molecular levels. ApoE3 seems to be the normal isoform in all known functions, while apoE4 and apoE2 can each be dysfunctional. Isoform (allele)-specific effects include the association of apoE2 with the genetic disorder type III hyperlipoproteinemia and with both increased and decreased risk for atherosclerosis and the association of apoE4 with increased risk for both atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease, impaired cognitive function, and reduced neurite outgrowth; isoform-specific differences in cellular signaling events may also exist. Functional differences in the apoE isoforms that affect (or did affect) survival before the reproductive years probably account, at least in part, for the allele frequencies of the present day.

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Crossref · 10.1146/annurev.genom.1.1.507

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  • Exchangeable apolipoproteins consist of two functional domains: a lipid-binding domain and a receptor-binding domain.

    “Exchangeable apolipoproteins are typically consisting of two functional domains: lipid-binding domain and receptor-binding domain24.”
  • The striking vasculotropic effects observed in APP/ε2 mice may not be robustly seen in human subjects, where ε2 homozygotes constitute only 1% of the population, with less than 10% of them developing type III hyperlipoproteinemia.

    “However, these striking vasculotropic effects observed here in APP/ε2 mice may not be robustly seen in human subjects, where ε2 homozygotes constitute only 1% of the population, with less than 10% of them developing type III hyperlipoproteinemia, what is linked to distinctly different contribution of apoE to VLDL formation between humans and mice [62].”
  • APOE4 has increased binding affinity (up to two-fold) for heparin and HSPG over APOE3.

    “By contrast, APOE4 has increased binding affinity (up to two-fold) for heparin and HSPG over APOE3 (refs. 32–35).”
  • Mutations in APOE could alter the configuration of the APOE protein and further impact its binding ability to the LDL receptor, which could explain the formation of lipoprotein thrombi in the glomerulus.

    “As serum apoE plays its role in lipid metabolism through the LDL receptor, the HSPG and LDL receptor‐related protein (LRP) pathway (Mahley & Rall Jr., 2000), mutations could alter the configuration of the APOE protein and further impact its binding ability to LDL receptor, which could explain the formation of lipoprotein thrombi in the glomerulus.”
  • Human apoE is a protein consisting of 299 amino acid residues with a molecular weight of 34 kDa.

    “Human apoE is a protein consisting of 299 amino acid residues with a molecular weight of 34 kDa8).”

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Authors
Mahley, R. W., & Rall, S. C.
Affiliations
University of California, San Francisco (US)
Venue
Annual Review of Genomics and Human Genetics
Published
2000-09
Volume
1
Issue
1
Pages
507-537
ISSN
  • 1527-8204 (ISSN-L)
  • 1545-293X
OpenAlex
W2121101037
Cited by
1,836
References
114
Citations by year
2026: 54 · 2025: 85 · 2024: 71 · 2023: 55 · 2022: 95 · 2021: 103 · 2020: 70 · 2019: 79 · 2018: 64 · 2017: 80 · 2016: 86 · 2015: 75 · 2014: 100 · 2013: 80 · 2012: 83
FWCI
3.13
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Annual Review of Genomics and Human Genetics (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (5p01hl047660-10)
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (HL-47660)
  • National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (R37AI020565)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Lipoproteins and Cardiovascular Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Lipid metabolism and disorders
Keywords
apolipoprotein E, apolipoprotein E isoforms, APOE ε4, APOE3, APOE2, APOE polymorphism, Alzheimer's disease, cognitive function, immune regulation, infectious diseases, type III hyperlipoproteinemia, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, neurite outgrowth, allele frequency
MeSH terms
Alleles, Animals, Apolipoproteins E, Arteriosclerosis, Biological Transport, Active, Communicable Diseases, Female, Heart Diseases, Humans, Hyperlipoproteinemia Type III, Immunity, Lipoproteins, Male, Models, Molecular, Neurobiology, Phenotype, Polymorphism, Genetic, Reproduction, Risk Factors, Protein Isoforms, Lipid Metabolism

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