Clusterin: a role in cell survival in the face of apoptosis?

C. Koch-Brandt, C. Morgans

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

109 Scopus citations

Abstract

Clusterin is a multifunctional glycoprotein complex found in virtually all body fluids and on the surface of cells lining body cavities. Demonstrated and proposed functions include the transport of lipoproteins, the inhibition of complement-mediated cell lysis and the modulation of cell-cell interactions. On the basis of its elevated expression in apoptotic tissues, it was originally proposed that the protein might be casually involved in apoptosis. Here, we discuss the recent data that, in contrast to the earlier notion, suggest that clusterin expression is not enhanced, but rather is down-regulated in the cells undergoing apoptosis and that its expression in the apoptotic tissue is restricted to the vital neighboring cells. These results led to the proposal that rather than being a cell death gene, clusterin is a cell survival gene, exerting a protective function on the surviving bystander cells.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)130-149
Number of pages20
JournalProgress in molecular and subcellular biology
Volume16
DOIs
StatePublished - 1996
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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