Lipid transport processes via the circulatory system of animals are a
vital function that utilizes highly specialized lipoprotein complexes.
These complexes of protein and lipid impart solubility to otherwise i
nsoluble lipids. The apoprotein components of lipoprotein complexes se
rve to stabilize the lipid components and modulate particle metabolism
and function as ligands for receptor-mediated endocytosis of lipoprot
eins. We have used an insect (Manduca sexta) model system for studies
of lipid transport. In this system, flight activity elicits a dramatic
increase in the demand for glycerolipid fuel molecules by flight musc
le tissue. These lipids are mobilized from a storage organ and transpo
rted through the hemolymph (blood) to the flight muscle by the lipopro
tein, lipophorin. This system possesses the unique property that lipid
s are loaded onto pre-existing high density lipophorin through the act
ion of a lipid transfer particle (LTP). LTP is a high molecular weight
hemolymph component that facilitates net vectorial lipid transfer fro
m fat body tissue to lipophorin. The increase in lipid content of the
lipoprotein induces association of a low molecular weight amphipathic
exchangeable apolipoprotein, apolipophorin III (apoLp-III). ApoLp-III
is a 18 kDa protein that normally exists as a water-soluble monomeric
hemolymph protein. The structural properties of apoLp-III have been in
vestigated by X-ray crystallography. ApoLp-III from Locusta migratoria
adopts a five helix bundle conformation wherein each of the amphipath
ic helices orients with its hydrophobic face directed toward the inter
ior of the bundle. It has been hypothesized that lipid association req
uires a dramatic conformational change wherein the helix bundle opens
about putative hinge domains located in the loops between helices. The
data accumulated support the concept that apoLp-III is a member of th
e broad class of exchangeable apolipoproteins and structural informati
on learned from this system is directly applicable to analogous protei
ns in higher organisms.