APOE is an apolipoprotein, a protein associating with lipid particles, that mainly functions in lipoprotein-mediated lipid transport between organs via the plasma and interstitial fluids. APOE is a core component of plasma lipoproteins and is involved in their production, conversion and clearance. Apoliproteins are amphipathic molecules that interact both with lipids of the lipoprotein particle core and the aqueous environment of the plasma. As such, APOE associates with chylomicrons, chylomicron remnants, very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and intermediate density lipoproteins (IDL) but shows a preferential binding to high-density lipoproteins (HDL). It also binds a wide range of cellular receptors including the LDL receptor/LDLR and the very low-density lipoprotein receptor/VLDLR that mediate the cellular uptake of the APOE-containing lipoprotein particles. Finally, APOE has also a heparin-binding activity and binds heparan-sulfate proteoglycans on the surface of cells, a property that supports the capture and the receptor-mediated uptake of APOE-containing lipoproteins by cells. Homotetramer. May interact with ABCA1; functionally associated with ABCA1 in the biogenesis of HDLs. May interact with APP/A4 amyloid-beta peptide; the interaction is extremely stable in vitro but its physiological significance is unclear. May interact with MAPT. May interact with MAP2. In the cerebrospinal fluid, interacts with secreted SORL1. In the plasma, APOE is associated with chylomicrons, chylomicrons remnants, VLDL, LDL and HDL lipoproteins. Lipid poor oligomeric APOE is associated with the extracellular matrix in a calcium- and heparan-sulfate proteoglycans-dependent manner. Lipidation induces the release from the extracellular matrix. APOE exists as multiple glycosylated and sialylated glycoforms within cells and in plasma. The extent of glycosylation and sialylation are tissue and context specific. Glycated in plasma VLDL. Phosphorylated by FAM20C in the extracellular medium. Belongs to the apolipoprotein A1/A4/E family.