Apolipoprotein A-I(Milano) and apolipoprotein A-I(Paris) exhibit an antioxidant activity distinct from that of wild-type apolipoprotein A-I

Biochemistry. 2002 Feb 12;41(6):2089-96. doi: 10.1021/bi011716p.

Abstract

Apolipoprotein A-I(Milano) (apoA-I(Milano)) and apoA-I(Paris) are rare cysteine variants of apoA-I that produce a HDL deficiency in the absence of cardiovascular disease in humans. This paradox provides the basis for the hypothesis that the cysteine variants possess a beneficial activity not associated with wild-type apoA-I (apoA-I(WT)). In this study, a unique antioxidant activity of apoA-I(Milano) and apoA-I(Paris) is described. ApoA-I(Milano) was twice as effective as apoA-I(Paris) in preventing lipoxygenase-mediated oxidation of phospholipids, whereas apoA-I(WT) was poorly active. Antioxidant activity was observed using the monomeric form of the variants and was equally effective before and after initiation of oxidative events. ApoA-I(Milano) protected phospholipid from reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated via xanthine/xanthine oxidase (X/Xo) but failed to inhibit X/Xo-induced reduction of cytochrome c. These results indicate that apoA-I(Milano) was unable to directly quench ROS in the aqueous phase. There were no differences between lipid-free apoA-I(Milano,) apoA-I(Paris), and apoA-I(WT) in mediating the efflux of cholesterol from macrophages, indicating that the cysteine variants interacted normally with the ABCA1 efflux pathway. The results indicate that incorporation of a free thiol within an amphipathic alpha helix of apoA-I confers an antioxidant activity distinct from that of apoA-I(WT). These studies are the first to relate gain of function to rare cysteine mutations in the apoA-I primary sequence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / metabolism*
  • Apolipoprotein A-I / chemistry
  • Apolipoprotein A-I / genetics
  • Apolipoprotein A-I / metabolism*
  • Arteriosclerosis / prevention & control
  • Cell Line
  • Cysteine / genetics
  • Dimerization
  • Genetic Variation
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Kinetics
  • Lipid Peroxidation
  • Lipoproteins, HDL / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mutation
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Apolipoprotein A-I
  • Lipoproteins, HDL
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • apolipoprotein A-I Milano
  • Cysteine