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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.

Original publication

DOI

10.1093/hmg/2.12.2109

Type

Journal article

Journal

Hum Mol Genet

Publication Date

12/1993

Volume

2

Pages

2109 - 2116

Keywords

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