title: The transthyretin-retinol-binding protein complex.
abstract: Transthyretin (TTR, formerly called prealbumin), one of the transporters of the hormone thyroxine and the lipocalin retinol-binding protein (RBP), the specific carrier of the vitamin, are known to form, under physiological conditions, a macromolecular complex that is believed to play an important physiological role: prevention of glomerular filtration of the low molecular weight RBP in the kidneys. The physiological significance of complex formation is discussed first, followed by a brief description of the three-dimensional structure of the two participating proteins. The two X-ray models of the complex available are subsequently discussed and compared and finally the non-crystallographic evidence that supports these models is reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Biocrystallography Laboratory, Department of Science and Technology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Monaco
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011228:Prealbumin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology; D011487:Protein Conformation; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D011228:Prealbumin; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins