The alpha-tocopherol transfer protein

Vitam Horm. 2007:76:45-65. doi: 10.1016/S0083-6729(07)76003-X.

Abstract

Almost a century ago, plant extracts were documented to be critical for the fertility of rodents. This activity was later ascribed to vitamin E, a term comprising a number of structurally related plant lipids that function as fat soluble antioxidants. The alpha-tocopherol transfer protein (TTP) is a critical regulator of vitamin E status that stimulates the movement of vitamin E between membrane vesicles in vitro and facilitates the secretion of tocopherol from hepatocytes. Heritable mutations in the ttpA gene cause ataxia with vitamin E deficiency (AVED), an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by low plasma vitamin E levels and progressive neurodegeneration. This chapter summarizes recent advances in our understanding of the molecular and physiological aspects of TTP activity.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ataxia / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins* / chemistry
  • Carrier Proteins* / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins* / physiology
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protein Conformation
  • Rats
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Vitamin E / blood
  • Vitamin E / metabolism*

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • alpha-tocopherol transfer protein
  • Vitamin E