Disease relevance of Kb4

• We have examined the role of disulfide bond formation in the processing of apo[a] using human and rat hepatoma cells expressing apo[a] isoforms containing varying numbers of kringle 4 (K4) domains, following treatment with DTT [1].

High impact information on Kb4

• Hepatoma cells expressing 6- or 9-K4 isoforms revealed approximately 90% inhibition of apo[a] secretion following DTT treatment, although larger isoforms containing 13- or 17-K4 domains demonstrated continued secretion (up to 30% of control values), suggesting that a fraction of the larger isoforms is at least partially DTT resistant [1].
• The demonstration that DTT modulates apo[a] secretion in a manner influenced by both the type and number of K4 repeats extends understanding of the mechanisms that regulate its exit from the endoplasmic reticulum [1].

References