Abstract

We have used two-dimensional gel electrophoresis to separate and characterize human plasma apolipoprotein (apo) E-containing lipoproteins in the high density lipoprotein (HDL) size range. Lipoproteins were separated from whole plasma by electrophoresis (according to charge) in a 0.75% agarose gel, and then in the second dimension (according to size) in a 2-15% non-denaturing polyacrylamide gradient gel. ApoE-containing lipoproteins were detected by radiography after electrotransfer of lipoproteins to nitrocellulose membranes and incubation with 125I-labeled affinity-purified polyclonal apoE antibody. ApoE-containing lipoproteins in the HDL size range had a particle size ranging from 9 to 18.5 nm in diameter and could be characterized as having either gamma, pre-beta1-, pre-beta2- or alpha-electrophoretic mobility (designated gamma-LpE, pre-beta1-LpE, pre-beta2LpE, and alpha-LpE respectively). gamma-LpE and a substantial proportion of pre-beta1- and pre-beta2-LpE did not co-migrate with apoA-I, apoA-II, apoC-III, or apoB-100. Subsequent experiments focused on the pre-beta1-LpE, pre-beta2LpE, and alpha-LpE subfractions, which represented > 95% of apoE in HDL-sized lipoproteins. Storage of plasma at 4 degrees C or in vitro incubation of plasma at 37 degrees C caused a relative decrease in pre-beta1-LpE and increase in alpha-LpE. Normolipidemic patients with an apoE 2/2 phenotype tended to have increased levels of alpha-LpE, whereas apoE 4/4 subjects tended to have a greater proportion of HDL-apoE as pre-beta1-LpE. Decrease in plasma HDL apoE concentration after an oral fat load was associated with a reduction in the plasma concentration of all HDL-apoE subfractions. These results demonstrate that: 1) apoE-containing HDL are heterogeneous in size and charge; 2) pre-beta1-LpE is a relatively labile HDL subfraction; 3) HDL-apoE subfraction distribution is dependent on apoE phenotype; and 4) all apoE-containing HDL subfractions participate in the plasma transfer of apoE during the postprandial period.