Merck, A3234-100UG, Apolipoprotein E4 human

General description
Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is present in the brain and is mainly produced by astrocytes. It is a 299 amino acid glycoprotein of 34kDa. It is present in all classes of lipoproteins except LDL (low-density lipoprotein). APOE gene has three alleles, such as APOE ε₃, APOE ε₄ and APOE ε₂. It is located on human chromosome 19q13.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Apolipoprotein E4 is a member of the apolipoprotein E family of plasma lipoproteins that bind reversibly with lipoprotein and play an important role in lipid metabolism. ApoE4 regulates plasma lipid levels by increasing the degradation of particles rich in triglycerides and cholesterol. In addition to facilitating solubilization of lipids, these proteins help to maintain the structural integrity of lipoproteins, serve as ligands for lipoprotein receptors, regulate the activity of enzymes involved in lipid metabolism and bind amyloid-β protein, the major component of plaques in Alzheimer′s disease, which it delivers to the microglia, the major scavenger cells of brain. Individuals heterozygous for the ApoE4 allele are at higher risk of late-onset Alzheimer′s disease. ApoE exists in three major isoforms: E2, E3, and E4, which differ from one another by a single amino-acid substitution. Recombinant human ApoE4 is a 34.4 kDa protein containing 300 amino acid residues.
The ApoE4 isoform of ApoE correlates with increased incidence of Alzheimer′s disease, and has been shown to regulate lipid metabolism and bind amyloid-beta. Recombinant ApoE4 retains full biological activity and can be used to study interactions of ApoE4 with amyloid-β, Tau, and LDLR.
ApoE4 (apolipoprotein E4) is associated with AD (Alzheimer′s disease).
Physical form
Lyophillized from a 0.2 μm filtered solution in 20 mM sodium phosphate, pH 7.8.