Exchangeable apolipoproteins are water-soluble protein components of lipoproteins that solubilise lipids and regulate their metabolism by binding to cell receptors or activating specific enzymes. Apolipoprotein C-I (ApoC-1) is the smallest exchangeable apolipoprotein and transfers among HDL (high density lipoprotein), VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein) and chlylomicrons. ApoC-1 activates lecithin:choline acetyltransferase (LCAT), inhibits cholesteryl ester transfer protein, can inhibit hepatic lipase and phospholipase 2 and can stimulate cell growth. ApoC-1 delays the clearance of beta-VLDL by inhibiting its uptake via the LDL receptor-related pathway. ApoC-1 has been implicated in hypertriglyceridemia, and Alzheimer s disease. ApoC-1 is believed to comprise of two dynamic helices that are stabilised by interhelical interactions and are connected by a short linker region. The minimal folding unit in the lipid-free state of this and other exchangeable apolipoproteins comprises the helix-turn-helix motif formed of four 11-mer sequence repeats.
http://www.ebi.ac.uk/interpro/IEntry?ac=IPR006781
Appears to modulate the interaction of APOE with beta-migrating VLDL and inhibit binding of beta-VLDL to the LDL receptor-related protein. Binds free fatty acids and reduces their intracellular esterification.