Improved Protein Transfer Efficiency and Signal Intensity in BlotMan Using Pulse Width Modulation

BlotMan is a protein blotting device that allows generating multiple membranes from a single polyacrylamide gel. To transfer all proteins uniformly with the same efficiency regardless of protein size, BlotMan employs pulse-width-modulated (PWM) voltage that applies a higher average voltage to a larger protein species. BlotMan can be controlled not only by its custom-made interface but also by a smart phone via Bluetooth technology. In this study, we examined effects of PWM signals (50%, 60%, and 80% duty cycle) on transfer efficiency and signal intensity in comparison to a constant voltage signal (100% duty cycle). The result revealed that in response to the same average voltage of 150 V, a lower duty cycle with a higher maximum voltage increased transfer efficiency as well as sharpness of transferred proteins. We validated BlotMan’s capability using a chondrosarcoma cell line (SW1353 cells) and a breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB231 cells) in response to antitumor chemical agents. BlotMan successfully generated 5 membranes from a single gel and detected 5 protein species such as c-Src, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2), phosphorylated eIF2, lamin B, and actin. Collectively, we demonstrated herein that BlotMan reduces an amount of protein samples by generating multiple membranes from a single gel and improving signal intensity with PWM voltage signals.

Extensive Inter-plant Protein Transfer between Cuscuta Parasites and Their Host Plants

Cuscuta species(dodders)are holoparasites that totally rely on host plants to survive.Although various mobile proteins have been identified to travel within a plant,whether and to what extent protein transfer between Cuscuta and host plants remain unclear.We found that hundreds to more than 1500 proteins were transferred between Cuscuta and the host plants Arabidopsis and soybean,and hundreds of interplant mobile proteins were even detected in the seeds of Cuscuta and the host soybean.Different hosts bridge-connected by dodder were also found to exchange hundreds of proteins.Quantitatively,the mobile proteins represent a few to more than 10%of the proteomes of foreign plants.Using Arabidopsis plants expressing different reporter proteins,we further showed that these reporter proteins could travel between plants and,importantly,retained their activity in the foreign plants.Comparative analysis between the interplant mobile proteins and mRNAs indicated that the majority of mobile proteins were not de novo synthesized from the translocated mRNAs,but bona fide mobile proteins.We propose that large-scale inter-plant protein translocation may play an important role in the interactions between host plants and dodder and even among the dodder bridge-connected hosts.

Polymorphisms of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein in different hepatitis B virus-infected patients

AIM: To identify the two polymorphisms of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) gene in the Chinese population and to explore their correlation with both hepatitis B virus (HBV) self-limited infection and persistent infection. METHODS: A total of 316 subjects with self-limited HBV infection and 316 patients with persistent HBV infection (195 subjects without familial history), matched with age and sex, from the Chinese Han population were enrolled in this study. Polymorphisms of MTP at the promoter region -493 and at H297Q were determined by the allele specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: The ratio of males to females was 2.13:1 for each group and the average age in the self-limited and chronic infection groups was 38.36 and 38.28 years, respectively. None of the allelic distributions deviated significantly from that predicted by the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. There was a linkagedisequilibrium between H297Q and -493G/T (D’ = 0.77). As the χ2 test was used, the genotype distribution of MTP -493G/T demonstrated a significant difference between the self-limited infection group and the entire chronic group or the chronic patients with no family history (χ2 = 8.543, P = 0.015 and χ2 = 7.199, P = 0.019). The allele distribution at the MTP-493 position also demonstrated a significant difference between the study groups without family history (χ2 = 6.212, P = 0.013). The T allele emerged as a possible protective factor which may influence the outcomes of HBV infection (OR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.389-0.897). CONCLUSION: The polymorphism of the MTP gene, T allele at -493, may be involved in determining the HBV infection outcomes, of which the mechanism needs to be further investigated.

Genome-wide analysis of the barley non-specific lipid transfer protein gene family

Non-specific lipid transfer proteins(nsLTPs) are small, basic proteins that are characterized by an eight-cysteine motif. The biological functions of these proteins have been reported to involve plant reproduction and biotic or abiotic stress response. With the completion of the barley genome sequence, a genome-wide analysis of nsLTPs in barley(Hordeum vulgare L.)(HvLTPs) will be helpful for understanding the function of nsLTPs in plants. We performed a genome-wide analysis of the nsLTP gene family in barley and identified 70 nsLTP genes,which can be divided into five types(1, 2, C, D, and G). Each type of nsLTPs shares similar exon and intron gene structures. Expression analysis showed that barley nsLTPs have diverse expression patterns, revealing their various roles. Our results shed light on the phylogenetic relationships and potential functions of barley nsLTPs and will be useful for future studies of barley development and molecular breeding.

Tag single nucleotide polymorphism rs1532624 located in cholesteryl ester transfer protein gene is associated with atherosclerosis cerebral ischemia

Objective: To investigate the relationship between polymorphisms of rs1532624 and rs289741 loci in cholesteryl ester transfer protein(CETP) genes and atherosclerotic cerebral infarction(ACI). Methods: The CETP gene rs1532624 and rs289741 in 95 patients with ACI and 177 healthy subjects were genotyped by Mass ARRAY mass spectrometry. Each locus genotype and allele frequency distributions were compared. Results: The difference of allele frequency distribution between the rs1532624(χ~2=1.723, P=0.189) and rs289741(χ~2=2.466, P=0.116) were not statistically significant. The frequency distribution of rs1532624 genotype between the cerebral infarction group and healthy control group was statistically significant(χ~2=7.096, P=0.029), while rs289741 genotype frequency distribution between the two groups was not statistically significant(χ~2=2.906, P=0.234). Conclusion: ACI have a positive correlation with rs1532624 polymorphism, and AA genotype may be susceptible factors of ACI.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a lipid transfer protein gene(PsLTP1) from Pinus sylvestris(L.)

Plant nonspecific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTPs) are widely distributed through plant kingdom and are characterized by the presence of a central hydrophobic cavity, suitable for binding various hydrophobic molecules. Despite extensive research on nsLTP in different plant species, mostly angiosperm, and the great diversity of physiological processes in which they seem to be involved, their exact functions still remain unclear. Also, very limited experimental data are available on nsLTP in gymnosperm. In this study, we report for the first time on the molecular cloning of nsLTP, from Pinus sylvestris L.(PsLTP1, GenBank accession JN980402.1) and the expression pattern of PsLTP1 during ontogenesis and in response to environmental stress conditions. Total RNA from roots of 7-day old pine seedlings was used to isolate the cDNA clone, corresponding to Scots pine lipid transfer protein. The open reading frame of PsLTP1 consists of 372 bp encoding a protein of 123 amino acids. Amino acid sequence alignment revealed that mature PsLTP1 shares high level of similarity with nsLTP from other conifers and with well-studied nsLTPs from angiosperms. The PsLTP1 contains a 27-amino-acid N-terminal signal sequence and presents all the features of a plant nsLTP. Amino acid comparison analysis and 3D structure prediction showed that PsLTP1 is a type 1 nsLTP. The results of the expression analysis of Scots pine PsLTP1 gene revealed that its transcripts accumulate in actively growing tissues. Furthermore, transcription of PsLTP1 was upregulated in response to cold and salt treatments, and downregulated during acidic, osmotic and water stresses.

High level of serum cholesteryl ester transfer protein inactive hepatitis C virus infection

AIM: To determine the significance of cholesteryl ester transfer protein(CETP) in lipoprotein abnormalities in chronic hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection.METHODS: We evaluated the significance of the serum concentration of CETP in 110 Japanese patients with chronic HCV infection. Fifty-five patients had active HCV infection, and HCV eradication had been achieved in 55. The role of CETP in serum lipoprotein abnormalities, specifically, in triglyceride(TG) concentrations in the four major classes of lipoproteins, was investigated using Pearson correlations in conjunction with multiple regression analysis and compared them between those with active HCV infection and those in whom eradication had been achieved. RESULTS: The serum CETP levels of patients with active HCV infection were significantly higher than those of patients in whom HCV eradication was achieved(mean ± SD, 2.84 ± 0.69 μg/m L vs 2.40 ± 1.00 μg/m L, P = 0.008). In multiple regression analysis, HCV infection status(active or eradicated) was an independent factor significantly associated with the serum CETP level. TG concentrations in low-density lipoprotein(mean ± SD, 36.25 ± 15.28 μg/m L vs 28.14 ± 9.94 μg/m L, P = 0.001) and high-density lipoprotein(HDL)(mean ± SD, 25.9 ± 7.34 μg/m L vs 17.17 ± 4.82 μg/m L, P < 0.001) were significantly higher in patientswith active HCV infection than in those in whom HCV eradication was achieved. The CETP level was strongly correlated with HDL-TG in patients with active HCV infection(R = 0.557, P < 0.001), whereas CETP was not correlated with HDL-TG in patients in whom HCV eradication was achieved(R =-0.079, P = 0.56). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that CETP plays a role in abnormalities of lipoprotein metabolism in patients with chronic HCV infection.

创伤性老年患者急性肾损伤的预测价值分析

目的探讨几丁质酶3样蛋白1(CHI3L1)、中性粒细胞明胶酶相关脂质转载蛋白(NGAL)及N-乙酰-β-D-氨基葡萄糖苷酶(NAG)对老年创伤患者急性肾损伤(AKI)早期诊断的预测价值。方法老年创伤患者120例,在入科时收集血、尿标本,检测血清和尿CHI3L1、血清和尿NGAL、尿NAG浓度。每6 h记录尿量。入科同时检测血肌酐。采用logistic回归及ROC曲线分析CHI3L1、NGAL、NAG对老年AKI的预测作用。结果多因素logistic回归分析显示血清CHI3L1(SCHI3L1)与血清NGAL(SNGAL)是AKI发生的高危因素。ROC曲线显示预测老年创伤患者AKI的发生,SNGAL的AUC为0.819,SCHI3L1的AUC为0.729,SNGAL联合SCHI3L1的AUC为0.834。结论SCHI3L1与SNGAL是老年创伤患者AKI发生的高危因素,两者均可以预测其AKI的发生,以SNGAL的预测作用更明显,联合指标能提高预测准确率。

薄壳山核桃花粉LTP基因的克隆和功能分析

【目的】比较薄壳山核桃Carya illinoinensis(Wangenh.)K.Koch和浙江山核桃Carya cathayensis Sarg花粉萌发前后蛋白质谱的差异,筛选出可能在山核桃属植物花粉萌发中起重要作用的显著差异蛋白,并分析其生物学特性和基因表达特点。【方法】基于iTRAQ技术比较两者花粉离体萌发前后蛋白质组变化的差异,筛选出显著差异蛋白,据此信息克隆和分析差异最为显著的基因,再利用已经建立的薄壳山核桃离体萌发体系和原核细胞融合蛋白表达系统来初步验证LTP(lipid transfer proteins)在花粉萌发中的功能。【结果】比较2种植物萌发前后的蛋白比值,发现有部分蛋白在2种植物中花粉萌发前后的变化规律是相反的,其中非特异脂蛋白(Non-specific lipid-transfer protein)比值达18.6倍。经过薄壳山核桃LTP同源基因的克隆和表达分析得出2个基因片段,将其命名为LTP1和LTP2,且LTP1的稳定性更好,将LTP1加入花粉萌发体系后发现LTP1对薄壳山核桃花粉萌发率和花粉管长度无显著影响。【结论】通过比较两者花粉萌发前后的蛋白质谱的差异,筛选出可能在山核桃属植物花粉萌发中起重要作用的非特异性脂质转移蛋白LTP,克隆了薄壳山核桃CiLTP1和CiLTP2基因,分析了其生物学特性和基因表达特点,但在花粉离体萌发体系中未发现体外表达的CiLTP1蛋白有影响花粉萌发的功能。研究可为揭示山核桃属植物花粉萌发规律提供重要参考。

牛肉宰后冷却贮藏期肉色稳定性的变化及其机制

为了进一步研究宰后牛肉在贮藏期间肉色稳定性及其变化机制,本实验以牛背最长肌为研究对象,对宰后75 min、2 d、8 d 3个贮藏期高、低肉色稳定组分别进行了定量蛋白质组学分析。蛋白质组学结果显示,在高、低肉色稳定组中共鉴定到1 377种蛋白质,其中有136种差异蛋白质。通过生物信息学分析发现,高、低肉色稳定性组的差异蛋白主要参与氧化还原、糖代谢、信号转导、细胞凋亡等宰后生化过程,与调控贮藏期宰后肉色的稳定性密切相关。进一步对鉴定出的差异蛋白进行功能分析,筛选出4种与呼吸电子传递链相关的关键差异蛋白,分别为细胞色素复合亚基(UQCR10)、细胞色素c氧化酶亚基VIIa肽1(COX7A1)、线粒体合成酶(ATP5MG)、线粒体ATP合成酶亚基(ATP5MF),这些蛋白质参与宰后能量代谢和氧化还原过程并影响氧化还原酶活性,进而影响了贮藏期间牛肉肉色的稳定性。本研究通过对不同贮藏期间的高、低肉色稳定组差异蛋白的分析,探索调控肉色稳定性的分子机制,为今后肉色稳定性的调控提供了思路。

维生素E对半滑舌鳎垂体α-生育酚转移蛋白基因表达的影响

生育酚转移蛋白(α-tocopherol transfer protein,α-TTP)是一种可以结合维生素E的蛋白,在协助机体转运和调控维生素E含量等方面起到重要作用。维生素E能够影响鱼类垂体中生长和繁殖相关激素的分泌,这是否与α-TTP有关,值得进一步探讨。本实验旨在探究维生素E对半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)垂体α-TTP基因表达的影响。在基础饲料中分别添加维生素E(DL-α-生育酚乙酸酯)0、200、400、800和1600 mg/kg,对半滑舌鳎成鱼(464.0±2.6)g进行持续60 d的养殖实验;另外,在L-15培养基中添加0、18和54μmol/L的维生素E,对半滑舌鳎垂体细胞进行为期3 d的体外原代培养实验。分别取垂体组织和垂体原代细胞,克隆α-TTP基因,并通过实时荧光定量PCR分析α-TTP基因相对表达量。结果显示,α-TTP基因全长3964 bp,编码293个氨基酸;α-TTP基因在半滑舌鳎各组织均有表达,其中,在脾脏中表达最高,其次是肾脏,在胃中表达量最低;α-TTP基因表达量随着饲料中维生素E含量的增加而呈先升高后下降的变化趋势,400 mg/kg组显著高于其他各组(P<0.05);随着细胞培养液中维生素E浓度的升高,α-TTP基因相对表达量显著增加。综上所述,本研究首次报道维生素E能够影响垂体中α-TTP基因的表达,饲料中添加400 mg/kg的维生素E能够显著促进半滑舌鳎垂体α-TTP基因的表达。本研究为探讨α-TTP在介导维生素E影响鱼类生长与繁殖方面的潜在机制提供新思路。

牡丹非特异性脂质转移蛋白基因PsLTP的生物信息学分析

[目的]了解牡丹非特异性脂质转移蛋白基因LTP的基因特征及其编码蛋白的生物学特性,探索其生物功能。[方法]运用Blast、ORF-Finder、ProtParam、SignalP 4.1、ProtScale和TMHMM 2.0 Server等生物信息学软件,分析牡丹nsLTP基因序列及其编码蛋白的基本理化性质、信号肽、磷酸化位点、保守结构域等,并运用DANMAN、MEGA软件进行多序列比对和系统发育树构建。[结果]牡丹nsLTP基因(NCBI登录号为:JZ840269.1)序列全长为685 bp,开放阅读框长为354 bp,编码蛋白包含117个氨基酸,理论等电点为8.93,为不稳定性蛋白。牡丹nsLTP蛋白为疏水性蛋白,含有信号肽但不含跨膜结构域,NetPho Server预测其含有8个丝氨酸和3个酪氨酸磷酸化位点及5个苏氨酸磷酸化位点。PsnsLTP蛋白具有植物LTP蛋白典型结构,即4个α-螺旋,4对二硫键,1个可结合和容纳脂质分子的疏水结构。多序列比对及系统发育树分析显示,PsLTP蛋白与绒毛烟草LTP蛋白(XP_009608993.1)的相识度62.7%,且进化树聚为同一小分支,遗传距离较近。[结论]通过对牡丹nsLTP基因特性及蛋白结构研究,系统性研究了牡丹nsLTP基因的生物信息学特性,为牡丹抗病抗逆功能基因的研究提供了依据,也为其他植物nsLTP基因研究提供了参考。

薰衣草非特异性脂质转移蛋白基因nsLTP2-1和nsLTP2-2的克隆与功能分析

非特异性脂质转移蛋白(nsLTP,non-specific lipid transfer proteins)在植物脂质转运和分泌中发挥重要作用。本研究从薰衣草(Lavandula angustifolia)中克隆到2个II型nsLTP基因,命名为nsLTP2-1和nsLTP2-2,并对其进行功能分析。生信分析表明,nsLTP2-1和ns LTP2-2分别编码119个和117个氨基酸,具有脂转移蛋白(LTP,lipid transfer proteins)保守结构域和8个高度保守的半胱氨酸残基;系统进化分析显示它们处于两个分支,与同科的紫苏(Perilla frutescens)相似性最高。基因表达分析显示2个基因均在花蕾中高表达,在叶片、茎和花瓣中几乎不表达,在花萼中的表达存在差异,nsLTP2-1和nsLTP2-2分别在成熟花萼和幼嫩花萼中表达量更高;2个基因在花蕾和叶片中的表达均受到强光诱导,且在花蕾中的表达均受脱落酸诱导,而叶片中nsLTP2-1和nsLTP2-2的表达分别受茉莉酸甲酯和乙烯诱导。亚细胞定位显示2个nsLTPs均定位在细胞膜和细胞壁上,可能与次生代谢物的转运有关。过表达nsLTP2-1和nsLTP2-2烟草叶片经尼罗红染色后,经485~543 nm激发光激发,叶片腺毛头部的荧光显示多于野生型,说明本研究中的nsLTPs可能在脂类的合成和转运中起重要作用。这些结果为明确薰衣草脂转移蛋白在脂类及萜类转运中的功能研究提供了参考。

使用蛋白净化剂解决大型纸机施胶计量棒糊棒问题的实践

介绍了大型高速纸机表面施胶添加蛋白净化剂以解决膜转移施胶机计量棒糊棒的应用情况。实践表明:当蛋白净化剂对绝干淀粉的比例为10%时,施胶计量棒糊棒问题得到明显改善,换棒周期由0.5天延长至12天,且看不到施胶辊漏涂的情况。蛋白净化剂所用载体的产地和纯度对纸张表面强度有一定的影响,确定了蛋白净化剂载体的最优产地和最佳纯度。添加蛋白净化剂后,除了能有效解决计量棒糊棒问题,吨纸施胶成本还降低了7元,且与胶料相关的施胶机断纸和纸病明显减少。

绿色植物光系统Ⅰ及其光合作用调控的结构基础

光系统Ⅰ被认为是自然界中最高效的纳米光化学机器,其复杂的结构和精细的调控机制确保了光合作用的高效进行。绿色植物光系统Ⅰ由核心复合物和多样的外周捕光天线构成,并参与包括状态转换、环式电子传递等多种光合作用调节过程。本文主要以笔者所在实验室在绿色植物光系统Ⅰ及其参与光合作用调控的结构生物学方面取得的进展进行综述,使人们对这一领域有更深入的理解。

子宫腺肌病IVF-ET助孕病人血清PIBF、RBP-4水平及其对妊娠结局的预测价值

目的:探讨子宫腺肌病体外受精-胚胎移植(IVF-ET)助孕病人血清孕激素诱导阻断因子(PIBF)、视黄醇结合蛋白-4(RBP-4)的表达及其对妊娠结局的预测价值。方法:选取行IVF-ET助孕的子宫腺肌病病人96例为研究对象,根据临床妊娠情况将研究对象分为临床妊娠组(56例)和未妊娠组(40例)。比较2组病人基本特征及治疗数据、血清PIBF、RBP-4水平。Pearson法分析血清PIBF、RBP-4与基础卵泡刺激素(FSH)、抗缪勒管激素(AMH)、基础促黄体生成素(LH)的相关性。多因素logistic回归分析影响子宫腺肌病IVF-ET助孕病人临床妊娠结局的影响因素。受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析血清PIBF、RBP-4水平对子宫腺肌病IVF-ET助孕病人妊娠结局的预测价值。结果:临床妊娠组FSH、AMH、促性腺激素(Gn)用量明显高于未妊娠组(P<0.05~P<0.01)。未妊娠组血清PIBF水平明显低于临床妊娠组(P<0.01),RBP-4水平明显高于临床妊娠组(P<0.01)。相关性分析显示,子宫腺肌病病人血清PIBF与基础FSH、AMH呈正相关(r=0.517、0.669,P<0.01),血清RBP-4与基础FSH、AMH呈负相关(r=-0.558、-0.634,P<0.01)。多因素logistic回归分析显示,基础FSH低水平、AMH低水平、PIBF低水平、RBP-4高水平是影响子宫腺肌病IVF-ET助孕病人临床妊娠结局的危险因素(P<0.05~P<0.01)。血清PIBF、RBP-4联合预测子宫腺肌病IVF-ET助孕病人妊娠结局的ROC曲线下面积(AUC)显著大于PIBF、RBP-4单独预测的AUC(P<0.05)。结论:血清PIBF、RBP-4与子宫腺肌病IVF-ET助孕病人妊娠结局相关,两者联合对子宫腺肌病IVF-ET助孕病人妊娠结局具有一定的预测价值。

基于动态图卷积与迁移学习的蛋白质质量评估

蛋白质质量评估是指对计算手段预测的蛋白质模型进行评分,从而挑选更接近天然结构的优秀模型。图结构可直观表示蛋白质模型,因此近年来图卷积神经网络(GCN)在质量评估领域得到了广泛应用,然而图节点的固定邻接关系限制了GCN对节点特征深入挖掘的能力。为此,提出一种动态图卷积的质量评估方法 DGCQA,预测蛋白质模型的全局质量分数。该方法根据节点的特征距离动态获取邻域,结合多尺度卷积模块提取残基对特征,以增强网络的表达能力。此外,基于迁移学习思想,引入蛋白质预训练模型ESM-1b编码特征,使DGCQA在多个指标上的表现有所提升。实验表明,所提方法相较于CASP13数据集的12种质量评估方法,具有很强的竞争力。

玄参水提取物对高糖暴露条件下INS-1细胞AMPK的激活作用

目的研究玄参水提取物(AESN)对高糖(HG)条件下INS-1细胞腺苷酸活化蛋白激酶(AMPK)活性的影响。方法将INS-1细胞培养于HG培养基中,并给予不同浓度AESN共孵育处理;利用细胞计数试剂-8(CCK-8)法检测AESN干预对细胞增殖/活力和焦亡小体形成的影响,使用Western blotting法观察AESN对细胞内AMPK表达及磷酸化水平的影响;利用时间分辨-荧光共振能量转移(TR-FRET)实验检测AESN对AMPK激酶活性的影响。结果CCK-8检测结果显示同正常培养条件相比,HG暴露显著降低INS-1细胞增殖/活力并增加焦亡小体形成数量,Western blotting检测结果表明HG暴露可导致细胞内AMPK磷酸化水平下降;而AESN共孵育可呈浓度依赖性地增加INS-1细胞增殖/活力、抑制焦亡小体形成并激活AMPK。TR-FRET实验结果表明,AESN可浓度依赖性增加AMPK激酶活性。结论AESN对HG暴露条件下INS-1细胞AMPK具有激活作用。

High density lipoprotein and cardiovascular diseases

Several epidemiological studies have clearly shown that low plasma levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) represent a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor. However, it is unclear if there is a causal association between HDL-C concentration and CVD. A recent study published in the Lancet, which performed two Mendelian randomization analyses, showed that increased HDL-C levels were not associated with a decreased risk of myocardial infarction. These findings, together with the termination of the niacin-based AIM-HIGH trial and the discontinuation of cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitor dalcetrapib, challenge the concept that raising of plasma HDL-C will uniformly translate into reductions in CVD risk. HDL particles exhibit several anti-atherosclerotic properties, such as anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities and cellular cholesterol efflux activity. Furthermore, HDL particles are very heterogeneous in terms of size, structure, composition and metabolism. HDL functionality may be associated more strongly with CVD risk than the traditional HDL-C levels. More research is needed to assess the association of the structure of HDL particle with its functionality and metabolism.

Lipoprotein in cholesterol transport: Highlights and recent insights into its structural basis and functional mechanism

Lipoproteins are protein-lipid macromolecular assemblies which are used to transport lipids in circulation and are key targets in cardiovascular disease （CVD）. The highly dynamic lipoprotein molecules are capable of adopting an array of conformations that is crucial to lipid transport along the cholesterol transport pathway, among which high-density lipopro- tein （HDL） and low-density lipoprotein （LDL） are major players in plasma cholesterol metabolism. For a more detailed illustration of cholesterol transport process, as well as the development of therapies to prevent CVD, here we review the functional mechanism and structural basis of lipoproteins in cholesterol transport, as well as their structural dynamics in the plasma lipoprotein （HDL and LDL） elevations, in order to obtain better quantitative understandings on structure-function relationship of lipoproteins. Finally, we also provide an approach for further research on the lipoprotein in cholesterol transport.