Human Apolipoprotein B-100/APOB, Tag Free (HA211573)

Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the APOB gene. Its measurement is commonly used to detect the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Apolipoprotein B is the primary apolipoprotein of chylomicrons, VLDL, Lp(a), IDL, and LDL particles (LDL—commonly known as "bad cholesterol" when in reference to both heart disease and vascular disease in general), which is responsible for carrying fat molecules (lipids), including cholesterol, around the body to all cells within all tissues. While all the functional roles of ApoB within the LDL (and all larger) particles remain somewhat unclear, it is the primary organizing protein (of the entire complex shell enclosing/carrying fat molecules within) component of the particles and is absolutely required for the formation of these particles. What is also clear is that the ApoB on the LDL particle acts as a ligand for LDL receptors in various cells throughout the body (i.e., less formally, ApoB indicates fat-carrying particles are ready to enter any cells with ApoB receptors and deliver fats carried within into the cells).