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Abetalipoproteinemia is an inherited disorder of lipoprotein metabolism. Affected individuals produce virtually no circulating apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins (chylomicrons, very low density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein and lipoprotein (a)). Malabsorption of the antioxidant vitamin E occurs, leading to spinocerebellar and retinal degeneration. Biochemical and genetic studies show that abetalipoproteinemia is not a defect of lipid biosynthesis or of the apolipoprotein B gene. Instead a microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, which exists as a complex with protein disulphide isomerase in the endoplasmic reticulum, has been implicated. We have cloned and sequenced the human cDNA encoding microsomal triglyceride transfer protein. The predicted amino acid sequence shows extensive homology to vitellogenin, the precursor of the lipovitellin complex, which has been shown by X-ray crystallography to contain a large lipid storage cavity. Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein is expressed in ovary, testis and kidney, in addition to liver and small intestine. A homozygous mutation that disrupts splicing has been identified in affected siblings with classical abetalipoproteinemia. These results elucidate a key process in the packaging of apolipoprotein B with lipid, and should increase our understanding of the processes regulating the production of atherogenic lipoproteins.

Type

Journal article

Journal

Human Molecular Genetics

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Publication Date

01/12/1993

Volume

2

Pages

2109 - 2116

Keywords

Abetalipoproteinemia/*genetics/metabolism Amino Acid Sequence Animals Apolipoproteins B/biosynthesis/*genetics Base Sequence Carrier Proteins/biosynthesis/*genetics/isolation & purification Cattle Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins Crystallography, X-Ray Exons Female Gene Expression Genotype *Glycoproteins Humans Kidney/metabolism Macromolecular Substances Male Microsomes/*metabolism Microsomes, Liver/*metabolism Molecular Sequence Data Molecular Weight Organ Specificity Ovary/metabolism Pedigree *Point Mutation Polymerase Chain Reaction Sequence Homology, Amino Acid Testis/metabolism Triglycerides/metabolism Xenopus laevis