Gc protein (vitamin D-binding protein): Gc genotyping and GcMAF precursor activity.

Abstract

The Gc protein (human group-specific component (Gc), a vitamin D-binding protein or Gc globulin), has important physiological functions that include involvement in vitamin D transport and storage, scavenging of extracellular G-actin, enhancement of the chemotactic activity of C5a for neutrophils in inflammation and macrophage activation (mediated by a GalNAc-modified Gc protein (GcMAF)). In this review, the structure and function of the Gc protein is focused on especially with regard to Gc genotyping and GcMAF precursor activity. A discussion of the research strategy "GcMAF as a target for drug discovery" is included, based on our own research.

• Authors: Hideko Nagasawa, Yoshihiro Uto, Hideyuki Sasaki, Natsuko Okamura, Aya Murakami, Shinichi Kubo, Kenneth L Kirk, Hitoshi Hori
• Journal: Anticancer research (Anticancer Res) 2005 Nov-Dec Vol. 25 Issue 6A Pg. 3689-95 ISSN: 0250-7005 [Print] Greece
• PMID: 16302727 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Macrophage-Activating Factors
• Vitamin D-Binding Protein
• vitamin D-binding protein-macrophage activating factor

Topics

• Amino Acid Sequence
• Animals
• Drug Design
• Genotype
• Humans
• Macrophage-Activating Factors (immunology, metabolism, pharmacology, physiology)
• Molecular Sequence Data
• Protein Structure, Tertiary
• Structure-Activity Relationship
• Vitamin D-Binding Protein (chemistry, genetics, immunology, metabolism, pharmacology, physiology)