Sequences and expression of the porcine apolipoprotein A-I and C-III mRNAs

Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) is the principal protein component of plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and an activator of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase. Apolipoprotein C-III (ApoC-III) exchanges between triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and HDL and inhibits the lipolysis and uptake of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. To study the expression of these Apo-encoding genes in the developing swine, apoA-I and apoC-III cDNAs from a lambda gt11 porcine liver cDNA library and apoC-III from a porcine genomic DNA library were isolated and sequenced. The predicted amino acid (aa) sequence and composition for ApoC-III matched the N-terminal aa sequence and composition of purified swine ApoC-III. Comparison among known ApoA-I and C-III aa sequences from various species revealed strict conservation of amphipathic helices. In adult pigs, the apoA-I mRNA was found predominantly in the intestine and liver, with a small amount detected in the testes. In contrast, apoC-III mRNA was found predominantly in adult liver. Developmentally, hepatic apoA-I and apoC-III mRNAs were expressed in livers of fetal, newborn, and suckling animals. Intestinal apoA-I and apoC-III mRNAs, however, were detected only in postpartum animals. Although intestinal apoA-I mRNA expression continued into the adult, intestinal apoC-III mRNA expression declined sharply after the newborn period.