APOC2
APOC2 (apolipoprotein C-II) is a secreted, lipid-binding apolipoprotein found on plasma lipoproteins. It activates lipoprotein lipase, the enzyme that hydrolyses triglycerides, and so plays an important role in lipoprotein metabolism. Browse Assay Genie's current range of APOC2 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
APOC2 is a component of chylomicrons, very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) in plasma. Its key role in lipoprotein metabolism is as an activator of lipoprotein lipase, which hydrolyses triglycerides and thereby provides free fatty acids for cells. Both proapolipoprotein C-II and mature apolipoprotein C-II can activate lipoprotein lipase.
The distribution of APOC2 between lipoprotein classes depends on lipid status. In normolipidemic individuals it is mainly found in HDL, whereas in hypertriglyceridemic individuals it is predominantly found in VLDL and LDL. The APOC2 gene encodes a lipid-binding protein that belongs to the apolipoprotein C2 family and the wider apolipoprotein gene group, and the protein is secreted into plasma.
Mutations in the APOC2 gene cause hyperlipoproteinemia type IB, characterised by hypertriglyceridemia, xanthomas and an increased risk of pancreatitis and early atherosclerosis. The gene sits in a cluster with other related apolipoprotein genes on chromosome 19. Naturally occurring read-through transcription exists between APOC2 and the neighbouring upstream gene APOC4, which encodes apolipoprotein C-IV. Researchers studying triglyceride-rich lipoproteins often examine APOC2 alongside other members of the apolipoprotein C group.
APOC2 activates lipoprotein lipase and is carried on chylomicrons, VLDL, LDL and HDL, making it central to studies of how plasma lipoproteins are processed.
By promoting lipoprotein lipase hydrolysis of triglycerides, APOC2 supplies free fatty acids to cells, a process relevant to triglyceride handling.
APOC2 shifts from HDL towards VLDL and LDL in hypertriglyceridemic individuals, so it is relevant to studies of altered lipoprotein distribution.
Mutations in APOC2 cause hyperlipoproteinemia type IB, with pancreatitis and early atherosclerosis risk, making it a focus in genetic lipid disease research.
APOC2 is a secreted plasma apolipoprotein that activates lipoprotein lipase. This enzyme hydrolyses triglycerides in lipoproteins, releasing free fatty acids for cells. APOC2 is a component of chylomicrons, VLDL, LDL and HDL, and both its proprotein and mature forms can activate the lipase.
The HGNC-approved name is apolipoprotein C2, and the protein is also written apolipoprotein C-II, the previous name. UniProt lists it as Apolipoprotein C-II. It belongs to the apolipoprotein C2 family and the HGNC apolipoproteins gene group, alongside APOC1, APOC3 and APOC4.
Mutations in the APOC2 gene cause hyperlipoproteinemia type IB, with hypertriglyceridemia, xanthomas and increased risk of pancreatitis and early atherosclerosis. Orthologues exist in mouse and rat (both Apoc2); check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other apolipoprotein C family members encoded in the same chromosome 19 gene cluster, with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P02655; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.