Chiral (all-R)-cyclohexanohemicucurbit[8]uril binds anions in a 1 : 1 ratio in pure methanol like a molecular Pac-Man™ with remarkable selectivity based on the size, shape and charge distribution of the anion.

LPL is produced and secreted from parenchymal cells like adipocytes and myocytes for transport to the luminal side of the endothelium via interaction with the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored high density lipoprotein binding protein 1 (GPIHBP1) (8). Several plasma components have been shown to directly or indirectly modulate the activity of LPL. apoC-II and apoA-V increase the activity of LPL, while apoC-I, apoC-III, angiopoietin-like protein (ANGPTL)3, ANGPTL4, and ANGPTL8 decrease the activity (1, 9). The expression of each of these proteins depends on nutritional and hormonal factors, so that lipid uptake in tissues to a large extent is regulated by posttranslational effects on LPL (1, 9). It is possible that the macromolecular environment in plasma itself may be an influence on the interaction of LPL with its ligands. The protein concentration of plasma (80 g/l) has been shown to cause significant crowding effects (10). It is also possible that some plasma regulators of LPL activity have not been identified yet.LPL activity can be measured in vitro by using artificial, usually emulsified, systems of radiolabeled, fluorogenic, or chromogenic substrates, or isolated triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs). The reaction products are detected at certain time points by chemical quantification or by determination of radioactivity or fluorescence. These methods have been used to unravel important aspects of the action of LPL and also to quantitate the levels of LPL activity in cells and tissues. Only small amounts of LPL activity are normally present in the circulating blood (11). Therefore, intravenous injections of heparin are made to release LPL from its endothelial binding sites. Determination of LPL activity in postheparin plasma, using artificial substrate systems, is considered to give an estimation of the amount of active LPL at the vascular endothelium (12).Lack of a suitable technique for continuous monitoring of triglyceride hydrolysis in plasma has hampered the understanding of the action of LPL under physiological Abstract LPL hydrolyzes triglycerides in plasma lipoproteins. Due to the complex regulation mechanism, it has been difficult to mimic the physiological conditions under which LPL acts in vitro. We demonstrate that isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), using human plasma as substrate, overcomes several limitations of previously used techniques. The high sensitivity of ITC allows continuous recording of the heat released during hydrolysis. Both initial rates and kinetics for complete hydrolysis of plasma lipids can be studied. The hydrolytic breakdown of plasma triglycerides by LPL at the capillary endothelium is a crucial event that contributes to control of the levels of triglycerides in plasma (1, 2). Many recent studies support the view that an elevated level of triglycerides in plasma is an independent risk factor for development of atherosclerosis (3-5). Therefore, the LPL system is considered to be an interesting target for drug design (6, 7). Education and Research Grant IUT 19-9,...

Purpose of review Apolipoprotein C-II (apoC-II) is a critical cofactor for the activation of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), a plasma enzyme that hydrolyzes triglycerides (TG) on TG-rich lipoproteins (TRL). Although apoC-II was first discovered nearly 50 years ago, there is renewed interest in it because of the recent efforts to develop new drugs for the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia (HTG). The main topic of this review will be the development of apoC-II mimetic peptides as a possible new therapy for cardiovascular disease. Recent findings We first describe the biochemistry of apoC-II and its role in TRL metabolism. We then review the clinical findings of HTG, particularly those related to apoC-II deficiency, and how TG metabolism relates to the development of atherosclerosis. We next summarize the current efforts to develop new drugs for HTG. Finally, we describe recent efforts to make small synthetic apoC-II mimetic peptides for activation of LPL and how these peptides unexpectedly have other mechanisms of action mostly related to the antagonism of the TG-raising effects of apoC-III. Summary The role of apoC-II in TG metabolism is reviewed, as well as recent efforts to develop apoC-II mimetic peptides into a novel therapy for HTG.

Since the seminal breakthrough of treating diabetic patients with insulin in the 1920s, there has been great interest in developing other proteins and their peptide mimetics as therapies for a wide variety of other medical disorders. Currently, there are at least 60 different peptides that have been approved for human use and over 150 peptides that are in various stages of clinical development. Peptides mimetic of the major proteins on lipoproteins, namely apolipoproteins, have also been developed first as tools for understanding apolipoprotein structure and more recently as potential therapeutics. In this review, we discuss the biochemistry, peptide mimetics design and clinical trials for peptides based on apoA-I, apoE and apoC-II. We primarily focus on applications of peptide mimetics related to cardiovascular diseases. We conclude with a discussion on the limitations of peptides as therapeutic agents and the challenges that need to be overcome before apolipoprotein mimetic peptides can be developed into new drugs.