MSR1 Antibody

Background:

This gene encodes the class A macrophage scavengerreceptors, which include three different types (1, 2, 3) generatedby alternative splicing of this gene. These receptors or isoformsare macrophage-specific trimeric integral membrane glycoproteinsand have been implicated in many macrophage-associatedphysiological and pathological processes including atherosclerosis,Alzheimer's disease, and host defense. The isoforms type 1 and type2 are functional receptors and are able to mediate the endocytosisof modified low density lipoproteins (LDLs). The isoform type 3does not internalize modified LDL (acetyl-LDL) despite having thedomain shown to mediate this function in the types 1 and 2isoforms. It has an altered intracellular processing and is trappedwithin the endoplasmic reticulum, making it unable to performendocytosis. The isoform type 3 can inhibit the function ofisoforms type 1 and type 2 when co-expressed, indicating a dominantnegative effect and suggesting a mechanism for regulation ofscavenger receptor activity in macrophages.