Genomics and biological activity of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in several clinical settings.
Recent literature has shown that neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is one of the most interesting and promising biomarkers in case of acute kidney injury. However, several studies indicated that this protein may be applied beyond the boundaries of renal pathophysiology and may be used in other pathophysiological settings since it is also expressed in neutrophils, and respiratory, bowel and prostate epithelia. In this review, we report NGAL genomics and biology and its possible use in several clinical settings. In particular, we review the genomic organization of the NGAL gene, the lipocalin family structure, the interaction between NGAL and ligands, and the induction and expression of NGAL in different conditions.
Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, San Bortolo Hospital, Vicenza, Italy.
Grazia Maria
GM
Virzì
Anna
A
Clementi
Massimo
M
de Cal
Dinna N
DN
Cruz
Claudio
C
Ronco
D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D008024:Ligands; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D011467:Prostate / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D015415:Biomarkers; C489506:LCN2 protein, human; D008024:Ligands; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins