Abstract 232: A Novel Abetalipoproteinemia Missense Mutation Highlights the Importance of the N-Terminal ß-Sheet in the Lipid Transfer and ApoB Secretion Activities of Microsomal Triglyceride Transfer Protein

• Published in: Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology Vol. 34; no. suppl_1
• Main Authors: Walsh, Meghan T, Di Leo, Enza, Ozaydin, Eda, Tarugi, Patrizia, Hussain, Mahmood
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.05.2014
• ISSN: 1079-5642; 1524-4636
• DOI: 10.1161/atvb.34.suppl_1.232

Abstract only Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) is critical for the assembly and secretion of apolipoprotein B (apoB)-containing lipoproteins. Mutations in the MTTP gene cause abetalipoproteinemia (ABL). Missense mutations in ABL have revealed that the central α-helical and C-terminal β-sheet domains are important for the lipid transfer activity of MTP and for the assembly and secretion of apoB-containing lipoproteins. The N-terminal domain, on the other hand, has mainly been implicated in apoB- and membrane-binding. Here, we describe a novel ABL missense mutation (D169V) in the N-terminal β-sheet of MTP. Although this mutant MTP (MTPD169V) is expressed and localized to the endoplasmic reticulum, it is unable to transfer triglycerides and phospholipids. Further, MTPD169V does not support the assembly and secretion of apoB-containing lipoproteins. Computational molecular modeling suggests that D169 could form an internal salt bridge with K187 and K189. Indeed, mutagenesis of these lysine residues to leucine abolishes triglyceride transfer and apoB secretion activities of MTP. Furthermore, conservative mutagenesis that preserves charges on these residues partially restores triglyceride transfer and apoB secretion activities of MTP. Therefore, D169 is probably involved in an internal salt bridge with K187 and K189. Disruption of this internal salt bridge in the N-terminal region affects the lipid transfer activity present in the C-terminal end of the MTP molecule. We speculate that this salt bridge, although away from the speculated lipid transfer site, might be important in providing structural integrity necessary for the lipid transfer activity of MTP.