Zn-alpha2-glycoprotein (ZAG) is a soluble protein that is present in serum and other body fluids. ZAG stimulates lipid degradation in adipocytes and causes the extensive fat losses associated with some advanced cancers. The 2.8 angstrom crystal structure of ZAG resembles a class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) heavy chain, but ZAG does not bind the class I light chain beta2-microglobulin ...
Zn-alpha2-glycoprotein (ZAG) is a soluble protein that is present in serum and other body fluids. ZAG stimulates lipid degradation in adipocytes and causes the extensive fat losses associated with some advanced cancers. The 2.8 angstrom crystal structure of ZAG resembles a class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) heavy chain, but ZAG does not bind the class I light chain beta2-microglobulin. The ZAG structure includes a large groove analogous to class I MHC peptide binding grooves. Instead of a peptide, the ZAG groove contains a nonpeptidic compound that may be implicated in lipid catabolism under normal or pathological conditions.
Related Citations:
Biochemical characterization and crystalization of human Zn-alpha2-glycoprotein, a soluble class I major histocompatibility complex homolog. Sanchez, L.M., Lopez-Otin, C., Bjorkman, P.J. (1997) Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 94: 4626
Complete amino acid sequence of human plasma Zn-alpha 2-glycoprotein and its homology to histocompatibility antigens. Araki, T., Gejyo, F., Takagaki, K., Haupt, H., Schwick, H.G., Burgi, W., Marti, T., Schaller, J., Rickli, E., Brossmer, R. (1988) Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 85: 679
Organizational Affiliation:
Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
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