Structural studies of plasma lipoproteins.

Abstract

These studies with neutron small-angle scattering were designed to probe the location of the apoprotein of HDL on recombinant particles formed with phospholipids. The use of isotopic substitution with deuterium in the headgroup of the phospholipid allows the positions of the molecular components to be probed in more detail. These initial experiments point to the direction future structural studies must take. Reconstitution techniques together with compositional modification of native lipoproteins must be coupled with a combination of high accuracy x-ray and neutron scattering studies, the latter employing isotopic substitution with deuterium to highlight specific areas of the structure. This approach will undoubtedly provide a higher resolution picture of the molecular organization of plasma lipoproteins.