Cloning and structural characterization of an estrogen-dependent apolipoprotein gene

ApoVLDLII is a major polypeptide component of avian very low density lipoprotein. Its production in the liver of the maturing female chick is developmentally synchronized with vitellogenesis. The apoVLDLII gene is normally dormant in males but can be activated by the administration of estrogen. In these studies, we describe the isolation of three recombinant bacteriophages that contain apoVLDLII genes. The genes appear to be identical from preliminary restriction analyses, although heterogeneity in flanking sequences is evident. The structure of the gene has been characterized and its organization correlated with the structure of the apoVLDLII polypeptide.