Clusterin, also designated complement lysis inhibitor (CLI), apolipoprotein J (APOJ), sulfated glycoprotein 2 (SGP2), SP40 and testosterone-repressed prostate message 2 (TRPM2), is a secretory, heterodimeric glycoprotein that influences immune regulation, cell adhesion, transformation, lipid transportation, tissue remodeling, membrane recycling and cell-cell interactions. Clusterin is synthesized as a 449 amino acid polypeptide that is post-translationally cleaved at an internal bond between Arg 227 and Ser 228. Two subunits, a and a, are associated through disulfide bonds. The a subunit (also called ApoJa) corresponds to residues 23-227. The a subunit (also called ApoJa) corresponds to residues 228-449. Overexpression of Clusterin appears to be more common in late stages of mammary tumor progression. Clusterin markedly influences a-Amyloid structure and neuritic toxicity in vivo and may influence Alzheimer s pathogenesis.
