Lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a))

Lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) belongs to the low-density lipoproteins (LDL), but is larger than normal LDL, with a relative molecular weight of 4,600 to 5,600 kD. Lp(a) is synthesized mainly in the liver, and 90% of its expression level is determined by mutations in the gene on the chromosome encoding Apo(a). The inner core is rich in cholesterol esters and the outer shell surface is rich in cholesterol, phospholipids and apolipoprotein B100, in addition to the presence of the apolipoprotein apo(a). lp(a)) is one of the causes of hyperlipidemia. In addition to this, it plays an important role in the formation of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.

As a supplier of raw materials for in vitro diagnostics, KMD Bioscience is committed to the rapid development and large-scale production of proteins and antibodies for in vitro diagnostics, and establishes stable cell line construction and screening, natural protein extraction and fermentation, recombinant protein customized expression services, and multi-species antibody discovery platform. Based on the above platforms, KMD Bioscience successfully develops many recombinant proteins, antibodies, antibody drug target proteins, industrial enzymes, diagnostic raw materials and other related reagents for scientific research and new drug discovery. KMD Bioscience adheres to independent innovation and breakthroughs in key technologies, and has successively obtained the national patent pilot unit and laboratory ISO9001:2015 quality management system certification and adheres to the continuous optimization to effectively ensure the quality stability of the products in the production process and final delivery. All antibodies provided by KMD Bioscience are rigorously tested to ensure their purity and sensitivity for use in a variety of different diagnostic platforms, such as LFIA, ELISA, CLIA, POCT, and so on.

Molecular structure of Lp(a)

Essentially an LDL (bad cholesterol)-like particle with an additional protein [apolipoprotein(a)] attached to it.Lpa is a low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-like lipoprotein with an apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] covalently attached to apolipoprotein B via a disulfide bond. As the main component of different lipoprotein molecules to perform their biological functions, the type of apolipoprotein is an important marker to distinguish between different lipoproteins. apoB and apo[a] are the main apolipoproteins on the surface of Lp(a), of which apoB is the main apolipoprotein of the familiar LDL lipoproteins, and apo[a] is the Lp(a)-specific apolipoprotein, which is covalently and noncovalently linked to apoB. apoB linkage through covalent and noncovalent bonds. It can be simply understood that Lp(a) is the addition of the characteristic apolipoprotein apo[a] to LDL. lp(a) is generated on the surface of hepatocytes or in the interstitial space of Disse, and is ultimately cleared from the bloodstream as a stand-alone unit and may be metabolized in conjunction with the liver and kidneys. apo(a) consists mainly of an inactive protease structural domain (P), the kringle structural domain V (KV), and there are 10 isoforms of kringle structural domain IV (KIV1-10).The synthesis of Lp(a) is mainly determined by the LPA gene, which encodes mainly for KIV and KV, whereas variations in the gene lead to changes in the copy number of KIV2 (1-40), resulting in different isoforms of apo(a).

Figure 1 Molecular structure of Lp(a)

Diseases associated with Lp(a)

Lp(a) is a risk factor and potential therapeutic target for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) as well as calcific aortic stenosis (AS). Synthesized mainly in the liver, it is even more pathogenic than low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). On the one hand, it promotes thrombosis at plaque ruptures or turbulence at vessel stenosis, causing vascular obstruction or promoting thrombosis. On the other hand, LDL-like particles promote intimal cholesterol deposition, inflammation, or oxidized phospholipids, causing atheromatous stenosis or aortic stenosis.

In the human lipid profile, lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a stand-alone protein, and there is essentially no association between it and additional lipid components such as low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Genetic factors play a large part in the expression level of Lp(a) in the body, and diet, lifestyle, etc. do not influence its expression level.

KMD Bioscience provides diversified protein products, including recombinant proteins, viral proteins, and bacterial proteins, to support researchers in their activity studies of Lp(a) protein targets and protein interaction studies. Mouse anti-human Lp(a) monoclonal antibodies (detection) and (capture) are obtained by immunizing mice with Lp(a) antigens, with high specificity, low lot-to-lot variation, and virtually no cross-reactivity. All the protein products provided by KMD Bioscience have passed strict QC verification and are characterized by low endotoxin content and high purity. KMD Bioscience can provide customized services according to customer's R&D needs, from gene sequence design, protein expression host selection, to monoclonal antibody production for each R&D step, such as customized label selection, customized buffer components, product lyophilization conditions mapping, protein and antibody labeling, etc.