Apolipoprotein E

Function

APOE is an apolipoprotein, a protein associating with lipid particles, that mainly functions in lipoprotein-mediated lipid transport between organs via the plasma and interstitial fluids (PubMed:6860692, PubMed:1911868, PubMed:14754908). APOE is a core component of plasma lipoproteins and is involved in their production, conversion and clearance (PubMed:6860692, PubMed:2762297, PubMed:1911868, PubMed:1917954, PubMed:9395455, PubMed:14754908, PubMed:23620513). Apoliproteins are amphipathic molecules that interact both with lipids of the lipoprotein particle core and the aqueous environment of the plasma (PubMed:6860692, PubMed:2762297, PubMed:9395455). As such, APOE associates with chylomicrons, chylomicron remnants, very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and intermediate density lipoproteins (IDL) but shows a preferential binding to high-density lipoproteins (HDL) (PubMed:6860692, PubMed:1911868). It also binds a wide range of cellular receptors including the LDL receptor/LDLR, the LDL receptor-related proteins LRP1, LRP2 and LRP8 and the very low-density lipoprotein receptor/VLDLR that mediate the cellular uptake of the APOE-containing lipoprotein particles (PubMed:2762297, PubMed:1917954, PubMed:7768901, PubMed:8939961, PubMed:12950167, PubMed:20030366, PubMed:2063194, PubMed:8756331, PubMed:20303980, PubMed:1530612, PubMed:7635945). Finally, APOE has also a heparin-binding activity and binds heparan-sulfate proteoglycans on the surface of cells, a property that supports the capture and the receptor-mediated uptake of APOE-containing lipoproteins by cells (PubMed:9395455, PubMed:9488694, PubMed:23676495, PubMed:7635945). A main function of APOE is to mediate lipoprotein clearance through the uptake of chylomicrons, VLDLs, and HDLs by hepatocytes (PubMed:1911868, PubMed:1917954, PubMed:9395455, PubMed:23676495, PubMed:29516132). APOE is also involved in the biosynthesis by the liver of VLDLs as well as their uptake by peripheral tissues ensuring the delivery of triglycerides and energy storage in muscle, heart and adipose tissues (PubMed:2762297, PubMed:29516132). By participating in the lipoprotein-mediated distribution of lipids among tissues, APOE plays a critical role in plasma and tissues lipid homeostasis (PubMed:2762297, PubMed:1917954, PubMed:29516132). APOE is also involved in two steps of reverse cholesterol transport, the HDLs-mediated transport of cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver, and thereby plays an important role in cholesterol homeostasis (PubMed:9395455, PubMed:14754908, PubMed:23620513). First, it is functionally associated with ABCA1 in the biogenesis of HDLs in tissues (PubMed:14754908, PubMed:23620513). Second, it is enriched in circulating HDLs and mediates their uptake by hepatocytes (PubMed:9395455). APOE also plays an important role in lipid transport in the central nervous system, regulating neuron survival and sprouting (PubMed:8939961, PubMed:25173806). APOE in also involved in innate and adaptive immune responses, controlling for instance the survival of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (By similarity). APOE, may also play a role in transcription regulation through a receptor-dependent and cholesterol-independent mechanism, that activates MAP3K12 and a non-canonical MAPK signal transduction pathway that results in enhanced AP-1-mediated transcription of APP (PubMed:28111074).

(Microbial infection) Through its interaction with HCV envelope glycoprotein E2, participates in the attachment of HCV to HSPGs and other receptors (LDLr, VLDLr, and SR-B1) on the cell surface and to the assembly, maturation and infectivity of HCV viral particles (PubMed:25122793, PubMed:29695434). This interaction is probably promoted via the up-regulation of cellular autophagy by the virus (PubMed:29695434).

Involvement in disease

Hyperlipoproteinemia 3

HLPP3

A disorder characterized by the accumulation of intermediate-density lipoprotein particles (IDL or broad-beta-lipoprotein) rich in cholesterol. Clinical features include xanthomas, yellowish lipid deposits in the palmar crease, or less specific on tendons and on elbows. The disorder rarely manifests before the third decade in men. In women, it is usually expressed only after the menopause.

None

The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. The vast majority of the patients are homozygous for APOE*2 alleles. More severe cases of HLPP3 have also been observed in individuals heterozygous for rare APOE variants. The influence of APOE on lipid levels is often suggested to have major implications for the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). Individuals carrying the common APOE*4 variant are at higher risk of CAD.

Alzheimer disease 2

AD2

A late-onset form of Alzheimer disease. Alzheimer disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive dementia, loss of cognitive abilities, and deposition of fibrillar amyloid proteins as intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles, extracellular amyloid plaques and vascular amyloid deposits. The major constituents of these plaques are neurotoxic amyloid-beta protein 40 and amyloid-beta protein 42, that are produced by the proteolysis of the transmembrane APP protein. The cytotoxic C-terminal fragments (CTFs) and the caspase-cleaved products, such as C31, are also implicated in neuronal death.

None

Disease susceptibility is associated with variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. The APOE*4 allele (APOE form E4) is genetically associated with the common late onset familial and sporadic forms of Alzheimer disease. Risk for AD increased from 20% to 90% and mean age at onset decreased from 84 to 68 years with increasing number of APOE*4 alleles in 42 families with late onset AD. Thus APOE*4 gene dose is a major risk factor for late onset AD and, in these families, homozygosity for APOE*4 was virtually sufficient to cause AD by age 80. The mechanism by which APOE*4 participates in pathogenesis is not known.

Sea-blue histiocyte disease

SBHD

Characterized by splenomegaly, mild thrombocytopenia and, in the bone marrow, numerous histiocytes containing cytoplasmic granules which stain bright blue with the usual hematologic stains. The syndrome is the consequence of an inherited metabolic defect analogous to Gaucher disease and other sphingolipidoses.

None

The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry.

Lipoprotein glomerulopathy

LPG

Uncommon kidney disease characterized by proteinuria, progressive kidney failure, and distinctive lipoprotein thrombi in glomerular capillaries.

None

The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry.

Post-translational modifications

APOE exists as multiple glycosylated and sialylated glycoforms within cells and in plasma (PubMed:29516132). The extent of glycosylation and sialylation are tissue and context specific (PubMed:29516132). Plasma APOE undergoes desialylation and is less glycosylated and sialylated than the cellular form (PubMed:2498325, PubMed:19838169, PubMed:20511397, PubMed:23234360). Glycosylation is not required for proper expression and secretion (PubMed:2498325). O-glycosylated with core 1 or possibly core 8 glycans. Thr-307 and Ser-314 are minor glycosylation sites compared to Ser-308 (PubMed:19838169, PubMed:23234360).

Glycated in plasma VLDL of normal subjects, and of hyperglycemic diabetic patients at a higher level (2-3 fold).

Phosphorylated by FAM20C in the extracellular medium.

Undergoes C-terminal proteolytic processing in neurons. C-terminally truncated APOE has a tendency to form neurotoxic intracellular neurofibrillary tangle-like inclusions in neurons.

Sequence similarities

Belongs to the apolipoprotein A1/A4/E family.

Tissue specificity

Produced by several tissues and cell types and mainly found associated with lipid particles in the plasma, the interstitial fluid and lymph (PubMed:25173806). Mainly synthesized by liver hepatocytes (PubMed:25173806). Significant quantities are also produced in brain, mainly by astrocytes and glial cells in the cerebral cortex, but also by neurons in frontal cortex and hippocampus (PubMed:3115992, PubMed:10027417). It is also expressed by cells of the peripheral nervous system (PubMed:10027417, PubMed:25173806). Also expressed by adrenal gland, testis, ovary, skin, kidney, spleen and adipose tissue and macrophages in various tissues (PubMed:25173806).

Cellular localization

• Secreted
• Secreted
• Extracellular space
• Secreted
• Extracellular space
• Extracellular matrix
• In the plasma, APOE is associated with chylomicrons, chylomicrons remnants, VLDL, LDL and HDL lipoproteins (PubMed:1911868, PubMed:8340399). Lipid poor oligomeric APOE is associated with the extracellular matrix in a calcium- and heparan-sulfate proteoglycans-dependent manner (PubMed:9488694). Lipidation induces the release from the extracellular matrix (PubMed:9488694).

Alternative names

• Apolipoprotein E
• Apo-E
• APOE

Database links

• entrezGene:348
• omim:107741
• swissprot:P02649

Target type

Proteins

Primary research area

Neuroscience

Other research areas

• Cardiovascular

Molecular weight

36154Da