Lipoprotein Synthesis
What are lipoproteins?
Lipoproteins bind to proteins to form lipid-protein complexes. Lipoproteins are mainly bound through hydrophobic interactions between their nonpolar lipid component and their nonpolar protein component, rather than via covalent bonds. Chemical composition, centrifugal sedimentation behavior, and solubility are typical characteristics of lipoproteins. Essentially, it transports and metabolizes lipids within the body.
Fig 1. Structures of LDL and HDL.
Functions of Lipoproteins
- Transportation of lipids
Lipoproteins are responsible for transporting ingested lipids from sites such as the intestines and liver to various cells in the body.
- Metabolizing lipids
Lipoproteins collect lipids from tissues and organs in the body and transport them back to the liver for metabolism and breakdown.
- Maintaining body balance
Lipoproteins help stabilize the level of lipids in the blood and maintain energy balance throughout the body.
How to Prepare High-quality Lipoproteins?
BOC Sciences offers custom synthesis of lipoproteins in the following.
First, phospholipid monolayers and protein components are synthesized. Then, the lipids are reacted with carrier proteins to form lipoproteins through chemical synthesis methods. Finally, the synthesized lipoproteins are then structurally verified by mass spectrometry, NMR and other techniques.
Types of lipoproteins that can be customized
- Chymotrypsin: contains mainly exogenous triglycerides and is the main form of transporting exogenous triglycerides and cholesterol.
- Very Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDLs): LDLs are transformed from very low-density lipoproteins. The primary function of LDL is to transport cholesterol to cells throughout the body, but primarily to the liver for the synthesis of bile acids.
- LDL: a lipoprotein particle that transports cholesterol into peripheral tissue cells and can be oxidized to oxidized LDL.
- High Density Lipoproteins (HDL): composed primarily of proteins, phospholipids, and cholesterol, among others, and have a higher density and smaller particle size.
Lipoprotein Modification Services from BOC Sciences
BOC Sciences offers lipoprotein modification services, which include chemical modifications or structural changes to affect the function, stability of lipoproteins.
- Phosphorylation modification - Phosphorylation modification allows covalent binding of phosphate groups to lipoproteins through the action of different kinds of enzymes.
- Glycosylation - Glycosylation modifications covalently bind sugar molecules to lipoproteins, which can enhance lipoprotein stability, immune response, and other functions.
- Acetylation - Acetylation of lipoproteins covalently binds acetyl groups to lipoprotein molecules through the action of acetyltransferases.
Lipoprotein Analysis from BOC Sciences
BOC Sciences offers services to analyze lipoproteins for information on their composition, structure and function. Lipoprotein analysis includes quantitative and qualitative analysis of protein fractions, analysis of lipid fractions, and determination of the molecular weight of lipoproteins.
Major Mechanisms of Lipoprotein Synthesis Regulation
- Transcription regulation
The regulation of lipoprotein synthesis can be realized through the action of transcription factors. Examples include the liver X receptor (LXR) and nuclear factor E2-like transcription factor 2 (Nrf2).
- Post-translational modifications
After lipoprotein synthesis, protein components undergo multiple post-translational modification processes that can affect lipoprotein stability, structure, and function.
- Quality control mechanisms
Multiple quality control mechanisms also exist within the cell to monitor and regulate lipoprotein synthesis and folding processes. These mechanisms can detect the proper folding and assembly of proteins and contribute to the degradation of abnormal proteins.
BOC Sciences is committed to our clients to provide high quality customized Chymotrypsin, Very Low Density Lipoprotein, LDL and HDL. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.