Biochemistry and pathophysiology of human plasma apolipoproteins

Summary

In order to learn more about the impact of lipoprotein metabolism on premature atherosclerosis, analysis not only of plasma lipids but also that of apolipoproteins have been performed in the past. Now we have reached a stage, where functional aspects become more and more prominent. Molecular biology has provided tools to routinely assay structural alterations of the proteins involved in the lipoprotein metabolism. In the near future, the DNA of patients might even be probed for abnormalities in the promotor region of apolipoprotein genes or their regulatory elements. Yet, without doubt, for clinical chemistry, the measurements of apolipoprotein concentrations will remain a key for classifying atherogenic lipoprotein constellations.