Abstract
Interaction of apolipoproteins with lipid surfaces plays crucial roles in lipoprotein metabolism and cholesterolhomeostasis. It has been accepted that apolipoprotein (apo)A-I, the major protein constituent of high-density lipopro-tein (HDL), is inversely related to risk of cardiovascular disease in humans. ApoA-I binding to lipid surfaces dependson membrane structure. In this study, to elucidate the detailed mechanism by which apoA-I associates with plasmamembrane and lipoprotein particles, the effects of lipid composition and surface curvature on the lipid-apoA-I interac-tions were examined.In the initial step of the HDL formation, apoA-I produces discoidal particles. The membrane structure in discoidalparticles is thought to be distinct from that in lipid vesicles although both contain lipid bilayer structure.The possi-bilities of lipid nanodisks for application to drug delivery systems will be discussed.
