Very low density lipoprotein receptor binds apolipoprotein E2/2 as well as apolipoprotein E3/3.

The VLDL receptor, a newly identified lipoprotein receptor, recognizes apoE containing lipoproteins. The human VLDL receptor was overexpressed in 1d1A-7, a mutant Chinese hamster ovary cells lacking LDL receptors. Each VLDL obtained from a normolipidemic subject with two epsilon3 or epsilon2 alleles similarly competed for the binding of radiolabeled rabbit beta-VLDL to the VLDL receptors. The anti-apoE monoclonal antibody 1D7, which inhibited binding of apoE3 to the LDL receptors, failed to compete for the binding of VLDL (apoE3 or apoE2) to the VLDL receptors. Results indicate that the binding site of apoE on the VLDL receptor may differ from its binding site on the LDL receptor.