Structural Basis for Vital Function and Malfunction of Serum Amyloid A: an Acute-Phase Protein that Wears Hydrophobicity on Its Sleeve.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose of review

This review addresses normal and pathologic functions of serum amyloid A (SAA), an enigmatic biomarker of inflammation and protein precursor of AA amyloidosis, a life-threatening complication of chronic inflammation. SAA is a small, highly evolutionarily conserved acute-phase protein whose plasma levels increase up to one thousand-fold in inflammation, infection, or after trauma. The advantage of this dramatic but transient increase is unclear, and the complex role of SAA in immune response is intensely investigated. This review summarizes recent advances in our understanding of the structure-function relationship of this intrinsically disordered protein, outlines its newly emerging beneficial roles in lipid transport and inflammation control, and discusses factor

SUBMITTER: Gursky O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7511256 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature