Cracking enzyme structure offers new way to treat rare heart diseases
Solution was found by combining protein with its chaperone
After years of work the elusive structure of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) has finally been determined. The enzyme is a promising target for treatment of several rare cardiovascular disorders. To finally solve the atomic structure of LPL researchers needed to combine it with a chaperone, a protein called GPIHBP1. In the bloodstream GPIHBP1 captures and carries LPL to capillary walls where it then processes triglyceride fat molecules. Any disruption to LPL’s processing of triglycerides can cause serious cardiovascular problems.