What are lipoproteins and apolipoproteins?

Lipoprotein refers to any of a group of soluble proteins that combine with and transport fat or other lipids in the blood plasma while apolipoprotein refers to the proteins that bind lipids (oil-soluble substances such as fat and cholesterol) to form lipoproteins.

What is the purpose of lipoproteins and apolipoproteins?

Apolipoproteins are proteins that bind to lipids to form lipoproteins, whose main function is to transport lipids.

What is the difference between lipoproteins and apolipoproteins?

The key difference between Lipoprotein and Apolipoproteins is in their constituents. Lipoproteins are composed of a lipid component and a specific protein component whereas apolipoprotein is the protein component of the complex lipoprotein.

Are apolipoproteins lipids?

Apolipoproteins are proteins that bind lipids (oil-soluble substances such as fat and cholesterol) to form lipoproteins. They transport lipids (and fat soluble vitamins) in blood, cerebrospinal fluid and lymph. The lipid components of lipoproteins are insoluble in water.

What is the importance of lipoprotein?

These lipoproteins play a key role in the absorption and transport of dietary lipids by the small intestine, in the transport of lipids from the liver to peripheral tissues, and the transport of lipids from peripheral tissues to the liver and intestine (reverse cholesterol transport).

What do phospholipids and apolipoproteins have in common?

Together with phospholipids, apolipoproteins form lipoprotein particles into which different lipids can be packed. Apolipoproteins have pivotal functions as structural components in lipoprotein particles, as ligands for receptors, and as co-factors for enzymes.

This lipid and protein complex is referred to as a lipoprotein. When triglycerides and cholesterol are removed from this lipoprotein complex, and you have the protein alone, the protein component is referred to as an apolipoprotein. Different types of apolipoproteins are associated with different lipoproteins. 1 

What is the difference between ULDL and apolipoprotein?

ULDL (ultra low density lipoprotein) or chylomicrons – contains 1-2% protein, 8% cholesterol, 7% phospholipid, 83-84% triglycerides and cholesterol esters. It carries triglycerides from intestine to the skeletal muscles, adipose tissue, and liver. Apolipoprotein is an assembly of protein and lipid in lipoproteins.

What are the different types of lipoproteins in a lipid panel?

The main types of lipoproteins that are analyzed in a lipid panel include very low-density lipoproteins (VLDS), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). These lipoproteins consist of main triglycerides, some cholesterol molecules, and less protein. The more fat a lipoprotein contains, the less density it has.

What is the role of lipoproteins in transport of lipids?

These lipoproteins play a key role in the absorption and transport of dietary lipids by the small intestine, in the transport of lipids from the liver to peripheral tissues, and the transport of lipids from peripheral tissues to the liver and intestine (reverse cholesterol transport).