Alpha-B-crystallin in neuropathology.
alphaB-Crystallin, which has homology with the small heat shock proteins, is the basic subunit of alpha-crystallin, a major component of the vertebrate eye lens. These crystallins have for a long time been thought to be absolutely lens specific. However, about a decade ago alphaB-crystallin has been detected extralenticularly in many tissues among which the central nervous system. Under pathological conditions the expression level of alphaB-crystallin frequently increases. For this reason it is considered to be a useful marker in a variety of neurodegenerative diseases. In this mini-review, a number of typical neurodegenerative disorders is dealt with in which alphaB-crystallin may play a role.
van Rijk
A F
AF
Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Bloemendal
H
H
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D003459:Crystallins / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D011379:Prognosis; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; D003459:Crystallins