PROSITE documentation PDOC00762Serum amyloid A proteins signature
The serum amyloid A (SAA) proteins comprise a family of vertebrate proteins that associate predominantly with high density lipoproteins (HDL) [1,2]. The synthesis of certain members of the family is greatly increased (as much as a 1000 fold) in inflammation; thus making SAA a major acute phase reactant. While the major physiological function of SAA is unclear, prolonged elevation of plasma SAA levels, as in chronic inflammation, however, results in a pathological condition, called amyloidosis, which affects the liver, kidney and spleen and which is characterized by the highly insoluble accumulation of SAA in these tissues.
SAA are proteins of about 110 amino acid residues. As a signature pattern, we selected the most highly conserved region, which is located in the central part of the sequence.
Last update:June 1994 / First entry.
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PROSITE method (with tools and information) covered by this documentation:
| 1 | Authors | Malle E. Steinmetz A. Raynes J.G. |
| Title | Serum amyloid A (SAA): an acute phase protein and apolipoprotein. | |
| Source | Atherosclerosis 102:131-146(1993). | |
| PubMed ID | 7504491 |
| 2 | Authors | Uhlar C.M. Burgess C.J. Sharp P.M. Whitehead A.S. |
| Title | Evolution of the serum amyloid A (SAA) protein superfamily. | |
| Source | Genomics 19:228-235(1994). | |
| PubMed ID | 8188253 |
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