Fortilin: A Potential Target for the Prevention and Treatment of Human Diseases

Decha Pinkaew, Ken Fujise

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Fortilin is a highly conserved 172-amino-acid polypeptide found in the cytosol, nucleus, mitochondria, extracellular space, and circulating blood. It is a multifunctional protein that protects cells against apoptosis, promotes cell growth and cell cycle progression, binds calcium (Ca2 +) and has antipathogen activities. Its role in the pathogenesis of human and animal diseases is also diverse. Fortilin facilitates the development of atherosclerosis, contributes to both systemic and pulmonary arterial hypertension, participates in the development of cancers, and worsens diabetic nephropathy. It is important for the adaptive expansion of pancreatic β-cells in response to obesity and increased insulin requirement, for the regeneration of liver after hepatectomy, and for protection of the liver against alcohol- and ER stress-induced injury. Fortilin is a viable surrogate marker for in vivo apoptosis, and it plays a key role in embryo and organ development in vertebrates. In fish and shrimp, fortilin participates in host defense against bacterial and viral pathogens. Further translational research could prove fortilin to be a viable molecular target for treatment of various human diseases including and not limited to atherosclerosis, hypertension, certain tumors, diabetes mellitus, diabetic nephropathy, hepatic injury, and aberrant immunity and host defense.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAdvances in Clinical Chemistry
PublisherAcademic Press Inc.
Pages265-300
Number of pages36
DOIs
StatePublished - 2017

Publication series

NameAdvances in Clinical Chemistry
Volume82
ISSN (Print)0065-2423

Keywords

  • Alcohol liver injury
  • Apoptosis
  • Atherosclerosis
  • Cancers
  • Development
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress
  • Fortilin
  • HRF
  • Histamine-releasing factor
  • Host defense
  • Hypertension
  • IRE1α
  • Immunity
  • Liver regeneration
  • Pulmonary arterial hypertension
  • TCTP
  • TPT1
  • Translationally controlled tumor protein
  • Tumors

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • Clinical Biochemistry

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