The 18kDa translocator protein - implications in cell's functions

The 18kDa Translocation Protein (TSPO) was first identified in 1977. Specific structure and role of it's hasn't been explained in numerous investigations lasting almost three decades. It seems that TSPO is essential for every cell's life - TSPO is ubiquitous and has been implicated in various functions of cell, including steroidogenesis, cellular respiration, reactive oxygen species production, heme biosynthesis,immunomodulation, apoptosis, and cellular proliferation. Changes in structure of TSPO and it's expression are associated with multiple disorders. The current knowledge of TSPO implicates its potential use as a diagnostic marker and therapeutic target in different diseases and their therapies. This script is based on the knowledge and research, which have been in literature since the date of TSPO's discovery. This script should interest wild group of scientists and specialists, including cytophysiologists, pharmacologists, geneticists, transplantologists, oncologists, neurologist and many others.