Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
4
pubmed:dateCreated
1996-2-20
pubmed:databankReference
pubmed:abstractText
Apolipoprotein D (apoD), a glycoprotein originally characterized as a component of the high density lipoprotein fraction of human plasma and known to be a member of the lipocalin protein superfamily, has been found in human tear fluid by Western blot analysis. Unlike serum it seems that in the tear fluid apoD exists mainly as a disulphide linked homodimer which is not associated with lecithin/cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) or apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I). By reverse-transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) of mRNA extracted from a human lacrimal gland and use of specific primers we could demonstrate expression of the apoD gene in this tissue. The amplified cDNA was cloned and a subsequent sequence analysis confirmed the identity of apoD mRNA in the human lacrimal gland. These investigations indicate that the lacrimal gland is the site of synthesis of the tear fluid apoD. Although the physiological function of apoD is unknown, it has the ability to bind phospholipids, cholesterol and other small hydrophobic molecules. Therefore, this protein might interact with meibomian lipids present in human tear fluid and probably contribute to the surface spreading of these lipids or it may function as a clearance factor, protecting the cornea from harmful lipophilic molecules.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Oct
pubmed:issn
0014-4835
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
61
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
495-500
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1995
pubmed:articleTitle
The human lacrimal gland synthesizes apolipoprotein D mRNA in addition to tear prealbumin mRNA, both species encoding members of the lipocalin superfamily.
pubmed:affiliation
Institut für Mikrobiologie (Medizinische Fakultät), Universität Innsbruck, Austria.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't