title: HSPB2/MKBP, a novel and unique member of the small heat-shock protein family.
abstract: Although proteins belonging to the sHSP superfamily are diverse in sequence and size, most share characteristic features, including 1) a small molecular mass of 12-43 kDa, 2) a conserved alpha-crystallin domain of 80-100 residues, 3) formation of large oligomers, 4) a dynamic quaternary structure, and 5) induction by stress conditions and chaperone activity in suppressing protein aggregation. HSPB2/MKBP (myotonic dystrophy kinase-bind-protein) retains the structural motif of the alpha-crystallin family of HSPs but shows a unique nature compared with canonical family members, characterized by gene allocation, specific binding partners in skeletal muscle, and unique stress responsiveness. MKBP may be involved in the pathogenesis of myotonic dystrophy and contribute to the neuropathology in both Alzheimer's disease and hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis, Dutch type.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
authors.forename: Zhiping
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Binbin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Weijun
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Liuwang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Ting
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D055551:HSP27 Heat-Shock Proteins; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D055551:HSP27 Heat-Shock Proteins; C442250:HSPB2 protein, human; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins