Summary
Heart disease is a major cause of mortality in North America. While it is clear that development of cardiovascular disease is a multi-factorial process, it is evident that aberrations in lipid metabolism represent a significant risk factor. It is widely accepted that exchangeable apolipoproteins function in regulation of plasma lipid levels, yet the molecular basis for this role is not fully understood. Increased knowledge of the properties of exchangeable apolipoproteins will be useful in the development of therapeutic strategies to influence plasma lipid levels and thereby, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, by understanding the molecular basis of apolipoprotein function in lipid transport and metabolism, it should be possible to design strategies to enhance or interfere with biological processes dependent upon their action. Knowledge gained has direct relevance to the treatment of dyslipidemias, including hypercholesterolemia and disorders of lipid metabolism that affect children and adults.
