Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

Lipoprotein(a): structural implications for pathophysiology

M L Koschinsky¹, S M Marcovina

¹Department of Biochemistry, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

International Journal of Clinical & Laboratory Research

|January 1, 1997

Summary

Lipoprotein(a) is a unique lipoprotein found in humans, linked to atherosclerosis. Its structure and genetic variations contribute to cardiovascular disease risk, with mechanisms still under investigation.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Characterization of the I4399M variant of apolipoprotein(a): implications for altered prothrombotic properties of lipoprotein(a).

Journal of thrombosis and haemostasis : JTH·2017

Same author

Association of adherence to a Mediterranean diet with glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors in youth with type I diabetes: the SEARCH Nutrition Ancillary Study.

European journal of clinical nutrition·2016

Same author

Biomarkers associated with severe hypoglycaemia and death in ACCORD.

Diabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association·2015

Same author

Pro-inflammatory cytokines reduce human TAFI expression via tristetraprolin-mediated mRNA destabilisation and decreased binding of HuR.

Thrombosis and haemostasis·2015

Same author

Adiponectin, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen and tissue plasminogen activator antigen levels among glucose-intolerant women with and without histories of gestational diabetes.

Diabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association·2015

Same author

Metabolic syndrome components and their response to lifestyle and metformin interventions are associated with differences in diabetes risk in persons with impaired glucose tolerance.

Diabetes, obesity & metabolism·2013

Area of Science:

Cardiovascular Biology
Lipid Metabolism
Atherosclerosis Research

Background:

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a distinct lipoprotein class found in humans, primates, and hedgehogs.
It comprises a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle assembled with apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)].
Apo(a) shares homology with plasminogen and is linked to apoB-100 via a disulfide bond, conferring unique properties to Lp(a).

Purpose of the Study:

To provide an overview of the salient structural features of Lp(a).
To discuss the potential pathophysiological implications of these structural characteristics.
To highlight the scientific interest in Lp(a) due to its association with atherosclerotic disorders.

Main Methods:

Review of existing clinical and biochemical studies on Lp(a).
Analysis of structural features of apo(a) and its relationship with LDL.
Examination of genetic determinants and population variations in Lp(a) levels.

Main Results:

Lp(a) accumulation in vessel walls is observed at sites of vascular injury.
Pathogenic mechanisms are hypothesized to involve both LDL-like (pro-atherogenic) and plasminogen-like (pro-thrombotic/anti-fibrinolytic) properties of Lp(a).
High Lp(a) levels are strongly correlated with various atherosclerotic disorders.

Conclusions:

The structural heterogeneity of apo(a), the most polymorphic protein in human plasma, complicates Lp(a) research.
Both structural features and genetic determination of Lp(a) levels contribute to its scientific and clinical significance.
Understanding Lp(a) structure is crucial for elucidating its role in atherogenesis and developing targeted therapies.

Related Experiment Videos