Lipoprotein lipase. Isolation and characterization of a second enzyme species from postheparin plasma.

A lipoprotein lipase species (mol wt 69 250) has been isolated from rat postheparin plasma, which differs from the low-molecular-weight species previously characterized in its amino acid composition and hexosamine content, and in its lower affinity for triglyceride-rich lipoprotein substrates. However, both enzymes are activated by the same coprotein (C-terminal glutamic acid, apo-C-2) from human very low density lipoprotein and have a similar specificity for lipid esters. Neither purified enzyme is activated by heparin. Both are inhibited by molar sodium chloride. Both enzyme species can be recovered from the same plasma samples. The possible relationship of these proteins to the different functional lipoprotein lipase activities of muscle and adipose tissues is discussed.