Transthyretin: a multifaceted protein

Autor: Vieira Marta, Saraiva Maria João
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2014
Předmět:
Zdroj: Biomolecular Concepts, Vol 5, Iss 1, Pp 45-54 (2014)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1868-5021
1868-503X
DOI: 10.1515/bmc-2013-0038
Popis: Transthyretin is a highly conserved homotetrameric protein, mainly synthetized by the liver and the choroid plexus of brain. The carrier role of TTR is well-known; however, many other functions have emerged, namely in the nervous system. Behavior, cognition, neuropeptide amidation, neurogenesis, nerve regeneration, axonal growth and 14-3-3ζ metabolism are some of the processes where TTR has an important role. TTR aggregates are responsible for many amyloidosis such as familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy and cardiomyopathy. Normal TTR can also aggregate and deposit in the heart of old people and in preeclampsia placental tissue. Differences in TTR levels have been found in several neuropathologies, but its neuroprotective role, until now, was described in ischemia and Alzheimer’s disease. The aim of this review is to stress the relevance of TTR, besides its well-known role on transport of thyroxine and retinol-binding protein.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals