DISTRIBUTION OF THE TOCOPHEROL AND APOLIP OPROTEIN A-I-IMMUNOREACTIVITY IN THE RAT-LIVER CHROMATIN

[I-125]Labeled lipoproteins (HDL, LDL, and VLDL) are actively uptaken by the rat liver. The uptake rate by nonparenchymal liver cells was si gnificantly higher than that by hepatocytes. Analysis of distribution of the labeled lipoproteins in liver subcellular structures showed the presence of these compounds in nuclei. The presence of apoA-I-, apoB- and apoE-immunoreactivity in liver cell nuclei was demonstrated by im munochemical methods (ELISA and dot immunoassay). The highest apoA-I l evels were found in the nuclear matrix and transcriptionally active ch romatin, which considerably exceeded those in the total and transcript ionally inactive chromatin. Similar distribution pattern was observed for alpha-tocopherol. The conclusion is made that blood serum lipoprot eins, first of all HDL, may transport tocopherol and other lipids in c ell nuclei.