Clusterin: always protecting. Synthesis, function and potential issues.
- Carmen Rodriguez-Rivera,
- Miguel Martínez García,
- Miguel Molina-Álvarez,
- Carmen González-Martín,
- Carlos Goicoechea
Abstract
In the last years, clusterin, a challenging and paradoxical
apolipoprotein,has been of growing interest amongst a rising number of
scientists. This enigmatic protein is present in all fluids of the
organism besides within the intracellular matrix, and it plays diverse,
and at times contrary, roles in a growing number of pathologies. It
seems to vary its location and function to assure cellular survival
being cytoprotective hence its significance in neuroprotection and
cancer along with chemotherapy resistance. However, it can also lead to
cellular arrest and its modulation to apoptosis. Additionally, it has
been described to modulate pain, as well as linked to inflammation,
cardioprotection, satiety and hunger, and possibly to addictive
behaviour development .Thus, it has been postulated to be used both as a
biomarker and a very explorable new therapeutic target for several
conditions.