Isoform- and cell type-specific structure of apolipoprotein E lipoparticles as revealed by a novel Forster resonance energy transfer assay.

ABSTRACT: Apolipoprotein E (apoE) has an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease with its three isoforms having distinct effects on disease risk. Here, we assessed the conformational differences between those isoforms using a novel flow cytometry-Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay. We showed that the conformation of intracellular apoE within HEK cells and astrocytes adopts a directional pattern; in other words, E4 adopts the most closed conformation, E2 adopts the most open conformation, and E3 adopts an intermediate conformation. However, this pattern was not maintained upon secretion of apoE from astrocytes. Intermolecular interactions between apoE molecules were isoform-specific, indicating a great diversity in the structure of apoE lipoparticles. Finally, we showed

SUBMITTER: Kara E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5592654 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature