The APOD gene encodes a glycoprotein of the lipocalin family, apolipoprotein D. Unlike other apolipoproteins, it is widely expressed in various tissues, predominantly brain and testes. Apolipoprotein D deficiency is not a known human disorder, but we know from various animal experiments that a knockout of this protein leads to symptoms resembling metabolic syndrome while over expression extends life span. Various polymorphisms seems to be associated with Alzheimer disease.
The APOD gene is located on chromosom 3 (3q29). It includes 5 exons of which exons 2-5 are coding. In the promotor several steroid response elements are characterized.
Apolipoprotein D is small (18kD) and has no similarity to other apolipoproteins. It belongs to the lipocalin family. These are proteins that form a hydrophobic pocketfor a single ligand. Apart from this hydrophobic pocket, several hydrophobic regions are located outside that allow the protein to be achored to cell membranes and HDL lipoprotein particles.
Research | Method | Carrier testing |
Turnaround | 5 days | |
Specimen type | genomic DNA |
Clinic | Method | Massive parallel sequencing |
Turnaround | 25 days | |
Specimen type | genomic DNA |
Research | Method | Genomic sequencing of the entire coding region |
Turnaround | 25 days | |
Specimen type | genomic DNA |
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