Apolipoproteins (apoLP, apo) – protein components of lipoproteins -  were isolated and classified more than 30 years ago. Since that time amino acid sequence and molecular weight of apoLP have been defined, multiple studies concerning their role in the lipid and LP metabolism have been performed and large amount of data on apoprotein concentration  change in different pathologies has been collected. The article focuses on basic data concerning apoLP structure and functions, as well as their role in forming of lipid metabolism defects, which is important knowledge for active introduction of apoLP concentration in  the practice of Russian clinical-and-diagnostical laboratories.