Synthesis and properties of the very-low-density-lipoprotein receptor and a comparison with the low-density-lipoprotein receptor

The properties of the very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) receptor have been studied in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably transfected with human VLDL-receptor cDNA and compared with those of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor expressed under the same conditions. Immunoblotting showed that the cells produced a mature VLDL receptor protein, of apparent M-r 123000 on non-reduced and 158000 on reduced gels, that was less extensively glycosylated than the LDL receptor. The VLDL receptor was more slowly processed than the LDL receptor, with only approx. 70 % of the precursor being converted into the mature protein. Nevertheless, the majority of the receptor in the cells was in the mature form, and most of this was present on the cell surface. The human VLDL receptor bound rabbit very-low-density lipoprotein with beta electrophoretic mobility (beta VLDL), but not human LDL, and uptake through the receptor led to stimulation of oleate incorporation into cholesteryl esters. At 37 degrees C, the characteristics of VLDL-receptor-mediated uptake and degradation of beta VLDL were essentially the same as those mediated by the LDL receptor. However, the VLDL receptor apparently did not show the increase in affinity and decrease in binding of beta VLDL on cooling to 4 degrees C that was exhibited by the LDL receptor. Thus the overexpressed VLDL receptor in CHO cells appears to behave as a lipoprotein receptor with similar, but not identical, properties to the LDL receptor.