Membrane-bound apolipoprotein B is exposed at the cytosolic surface of liver microsomes.

We have used a competitive enzyme-linked immunoassay with a panel of monoclonal antibodies to probe the topography of the membrane-bound form of apolipoprotein B (apo B) in rabbit microsomes. All epitopes investigated were found to be expressed at the cytosolic side of the microsomal membrane under conditions in which the vesicles remained sealed. These results indicate that the membrane-associated form of apolipoprotein B is either at the cytosolic side of the endoplasmic reticulum membrane or integrated into the membrane. From this site apo B may be translocated to the lumen for assembly into VLDL or may be degraded.