PURIFICATION OF NOVEL FACTOR INVOLVED IN PRODUCTION OF APO B48

现在已经确定，血浆胆固醇水平的升高与心脏病风险的增加有关。血液中胆固醇的主要载体是一种叫做载脂蛋白B的蛋白质。由于载脂蛋白B具有如此重要的生理作用，我们正在研究这种蛋白质是如何产生的。血浆中有两种形式的apo-B，一种是大的apo-B100，另一种是小的apo-B48，其大小约为apo-B100的一半。载脂蛋白-B48在膳食胆固醇的吸收和运输中起重要作用。我们发现，有一种不寻常的机制负责产生这种短型apo-B蛋白。我们一直在生化和分子水平上研究这种机制。我们已经发现，参与这一途径的因子之一在狒狒肾脏中高水平表达。因此，我们试图从狒狒肾中分离纯化该因子，以期对其进行鉴定，并了解其在载脂蛋白B48合成中的作用。我们的研究结果将为人体如何处理膳食胆固醇提供洞察力。我们的长期目标是利用这些信息来设计可能有助于降低血液胆固醇水平和防止动脉粥样硬化发展的疗法。

It is now well established that increased plasma cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of heart disease. The main carrier of cholesterol in the blood stream is a protein called apo-B. Because apo-B has such an important physiological role, we are studying how this protein is produced. There are two forms of apo-B in the plasma a large form, apo-B100, and a small form, apo-B48, which is about half the size of apo-B100. Apo-B48 is important in the absorption and transport of dietary cholesterol. We have found that there is an unusual mechanism responsible for the production of this short form of the apo-B protein. We have been investigating this mechanism at the biochemical and molecular level. We have found that one of the factors involved in this pathway is expressed at high levels in baboon kidney. Therefore, we are trying to purify this factor from baboon kidney in order to identify it and understand its role in the synthesis of apo-B48. The results from our research will provide insight into how the body handles dietary cholesterol. Our long-term goal is to use this information to design therapies that may help lower blood cholesterol levels and prevent the development of atherosclerosis.