Plasma lipoproteins as a transport form of extracellular DNA.

We showed DNA-binding activity of different classes of plasma lipoproteins in rats and humans. Experiments with fluorescent dye Hoechst 33258 showed that about 12% extracellular plasma DNA is present in circulating lipoproteins complexes; 7-8% of them with HDL. Structural HDL protein apoA-I probably plays the major role in the interaction between extracellular DNA and lipoprotein particle. Participation of lipoproteins in the transport of extracellular DNA can be considered as an important mechanism for elimination of nucleic acids from blood plasma.