Heterogeneity of human plasma low density lipoprotein

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) was fractionated into subspecies by the use of DEAE-agarose column chromatography and the peptide compositions of the LDL subspecies which eluted at different NaCl concentrations were determined. LDL which elutes at low NaCl concentration has relatively less non-B apoprotein than does LDL which elutes at high salt concentration. The LDL subspecies which elute at high NaCl concentration contain more apo A-1 than do those which elute at the lower NaCl molarity. These results indicate that LDL consists of subfractions which differ in their peptide compositions.