Biomaterial Database

Freeze-etching electron microscopy of serum lipoproteins. 1980

L P Aggerbeck, and M Yates, and T Gulik-Krzywicki

The structure of serum lipoproteins in solution has been investigated by freeze-etching electron microscopy employing rapid freezing techniques. Turnip yellow mosaic virus was used to demonstrate the performance of these techniques and their capability to provide information about the structure of particles in solution. Low-density lipoproteins appeared to deviate markedly from a smooth spherical shape. Instead, the outer layer of the particles appeared to consist of a small number of globules. The number, dimensions, and arrangements of the globules agree remarkably with the tetrahedral model proposed by Luzzati et al. for the low temperature form of LDL. Further, we show that the freeze-etching electron microscopy technique may be capable of providing structural information with other lipoproteins.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008074	Lipoproteins	Lipid-protein complexes involved in the transportation and metabolism of lipids in the body. They are spherical particles consisting of a hydrophobic core of TRIGLYCERIDES and CHOLESTEROL ESTERS surrounded by a layer of hydrophilic free CHOLESTEROL; PHOSPHOLIPIDS; and APOLIPOPROTEINS. Lipoproteins are classified by their varying buoyant density and sizes.	Circulating Lipoproteins,Lipoprotein,Lipoproteins, Circulating
D008075	Lipoproteins, HDL	A class of lipoproteins of small size (4-13 nm) and dense (greater than 1.063 g/ml) particles. HDL lipoproteins, synthesized in the liver without a lipid core, accumulate cholesterol esters from peripheral tissues and transport them to the liver for re-utilization or elimination from the body (the reverse cholesterol transport). Their major protein component is APOLIPOPROTEIN A-I. HDL also shuttle APOLIPOPROTEINS C and APOLIPOPROTEINS E to and from triglyceride-rich lipoproteins during their catabolism. HDL plasma level has been inversely correlated with the risk of cardiovascular diseases.	High Density Lipoprotein,High-Density Lipoprotein,High-Density Lipoproteins,alpha-Lipoprotein,alpha-Lipoproteins,Heavy Lipoproteins,alpha-1 Lipoprotein,Density Lipoprotein, High,HDL Lipoproteins,High Density Lipoproteins,Lipoprotein, High Density,Lipoprotein, High-Density,Lipoproteins, Heavy,Lipoproteins, High-Density,alpha Lipoprotein,alpha Lipoproteins
D008077	Lipoproteins, LDL	A class of lipoproteins of small size (18-25 nm) and light (1.019-1.063 g/ml) particles with a core composed mainly of CHOLESTEROL ESTERS and smaller amounts of TRIGLYCERIDES. The surface monolayer consists mostly of PHOSPHOLIPIDS, a single copy of APOLIPOPROTEIN B-100, and free cholesterol molecules. The main LDL function is to transport cholesterol and cholesterol esters to extrahepatic tissues.	Low-Density Lipoprotein,Low-Density Lipoproteins,beta-Lipoprotein,beta-Lipoproteins,LDL(1),LDL(2),LDL-1,LDL-2,LDL1,LDL2,Low-Density Lipoprotein 1,Low-Density Lipoprotein 2,LDL Lipoproteins,Lipoprotein, Low-Density,Lipoproteins, Low-Density,Low Density Lipoprotein,Low Density Lipoprotein 1,Low Density Lipoprotein 2,Low Density Lipoproteins,beta Lipoprotein,beta Lipoproteins
D008079	Lipoproteins, VLDL	A class of lipoproteins of very light (0.93-1.006 g/ml) large size (30-80 nm) particles with a core composed mainly of TRIGLYCERIDES and a surface monolayer of PHOSPHOLIPIDS and CHOLESTEROL into which are imbedded the apolipoproteins B, E, and C. VLDL facilitates the transport of endogenously made triglycerides to extrahepatic tissues. As triglycerides and Apo C are removed, VLDL is converted to INTERMEDIATE-DENSITY LIPOPROTEINS, then to LOW-DENSITY LIPOPROTEINS from which cholesterol is delivered to the extrahepatic tissues.	Pre-beta-Lipoprotein,Prebeta-Lipoprotein,Prebeta-Lipoproteins,Very Low Density Lipoprotein,Very-Low-Density Lipoprotein,Very-Low-Density Lipoproteins,Lipoprotein VLDL II,Lipoproteins, VLDL I,Lipoproteins, VLDL III,Lipoproteins, VLDL1,Lipoproteins, VLDL2,Lipoproteins, VLDL3,Pre-beta-Lipoproteins,Lipoprotein, Very-Low-Density,Lipoproteins, Very-Low-Density,Pre beta Lipoprotein,Pre beta Lipoproteins,Prebeta Lipoprotein,Prebeta Lipoproteins,VLDL Lipoproteins,VLDL1 Lipoproteins,VLDL2 Lipoproteins,VLDL3 Lipoproteins,Very Low Density Lipoproteins
D008253	Macaca mulatta	A species of the genus MACACA inhabiting India, China, and other parts of Asia. The species is used extensively in biomedical research and adapts very well to living with humans.	Chinese Rhesus Macaques,Macaca mulatta lasiota,Monkey, Rhesus,Rhesus Monkey,Rhesus Macaque,Chinese Rhesus Macaque,Macaca mulatta lasiotas,Macaque, Rhesus,Rhesus Macaque, Chinese,Rhesus Macaques,Rhesus Macaques, Chinese,Rhesus Monkeys
D008297	Male		Males
D008958	Models, Molecular	Models used experimentally or theoretically to study molecular shape, electronic properties, or interactions; includes analogous molecules, computer-generated graphics, and mechanical structures.	Molecular Models,Model, Molecular,Molecular Model
D009029	Mosaic Viruses	Viruses which produce a mottled appearance of the leaves of plants.	Mosaic Virus,Virus, Mosaic,Viruses, Mosaic
D011487	Protein Conformation	The characteristic 3-dimensional shape of a protein, including the secondary, supersecondary (motifs), tertiary (domains) and quaternary structure of the peptide chain. PROTEIN STRUCTURE, QUATERNARY describes the conformation assumed by multimeric proteins (aggregates of more than one polypeptide chain).	Conformation, Protein,Conformations, Protein,Protein Conformations
D005613	Freeze Etching	A replica technique in which cells are frozen to a very low temperature and cracked with a knife blade to expose the interior surfaces of the cells or cell membranes. The cracked cell surfaces are then freeze-dried to expose their constituents. The surfaces are now ready for shadowing to be viewed using an electron microscope. This method differs from freeze-fracturing in that no cryoprotectant is used and, thus, allows for the sublimation of water during the freeze-drying process to etch the surfaces.	Etching, Freeze