Glial fibrillary acidic protein: from intermediate filament assembly and gliosis to neurobiomarker.

Abstract

Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is an intermediate filament (IF) III protein uniquely found in astrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS), non-myelinating Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system (PNS), and enteric glial cells. GFAP mRNA expression is regulated by several nuclear-receptor hormones, growth factors, and lipopolysaccharides (LPSs). GFAP is also subject to numerous post-translational modifications (PTMs), while GFAP mutations result in protein deposits known as Rosenthal fibers in Alexander disease. GFAP gene activation and protein induction appear to play a critical role in astroglial cell activation (astrogliosis) following CNS injuries and neurodegeneration. Emerging evidence also suggests that, following traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries and stroke, GFAP and its breakdown products are rapidly released into biofluids, making them strong candidate biomarkers for such neurological disorders.

• Authors: Zhihui Yang, Kevin K W Wang
• Journal: Trends in neurosciences (Trends Neurosci) Vol. 38 Issue 6 Pg. 364-74 (Jun 2015) ISSN: 1878-108X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25975510 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein

Topics

• Animals
• Biomarkers (metabolism)
• Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (genetics, metabolism)
• Gliosis (metabolism)
• Humans
• Intermediate Filaments (metabolism)