Background
Transthyretin is a secreted and cytoplasm protein which belongs to the Transthyretin family. Transthyretin is detected in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (at protein level). It is highly expressed in choroid plexus epithelial cells. It is also detected in retina pigment epithelium and liver. Each monomer of Transthyretin has two 4-stranded beta sheets and the shape of a prolate ellipsoid. Antiparallel beta-sheet interactions link monomers into dimers. A short loop from each monomer forms the main dimer-dimer interaction. These two pairs of loops separate the opposed, convex beta-sheets of the dimers to form an internal channel. Defects in Transthyretin are the cause of amyloidosis type 1 (AMYL1) which is a hereditary generalized amyloidosis due to transthyretin amyloid deposition. Protein fibrils can form in different tissues leading to amyloid polyneuropathies, amyloidotic cardiomyopathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, systemic senile amyloidosis. The disease includes leptomeningeal amyloidosis that is characterized by primary involvement of the central nervous system.
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