Background information
Apolipoproteins are protein components of plasma lipoproteins (1). The apolipoprotein C gene family encodes four homologous proteins designated apoC-I to -IV, which specifically modulate the metabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (2). The human apoC-I gene maps to chromosome 19q13.2 and is expressed primarily in the liver where it is activated when monocytes differentiate into macrophages (3,4). The human apoC-II gene maps to chromosome 19q13.2 and encodes a 79 amino acid single chain protein that is a necessary cofactor for the activation of lipoprotein lipase, the enzyme that hydrolyzes triglycerides in plasma and transfers the fatty acids to tissues (5–7). The human apoC-III gene maps to chromosome 11q23 and encodes a protein that may delay catabolism of triglyceride-rich particles by inhibiting lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase (8). The human apoC-IV gene maps to chromosome 19q13.2 and encodes a 127 amino acid protein that is primarily expressed in the liver (9,10).
