During apoptosis, the asymmetry of plasma
membrane phospholipids is lost, which exposes phosphatidylserine externally. The phagocytosis of apoptotic cells can
be inhibited stereospecifically by phosphatidylserine and its structural analogs, but not by other anionic phospholipids,
suggesting that phosphatidylserine is specifically recognized. Fadok et al. (2000) used phage display to clone a gene
that appeared to recognize phosphatidylserine on apoptotic cells. they showed that this gene,
phosphatidylserine receptor or PSR, when transfected into B and T lymphocytes, enabled them to recognize and engulf
apoptotic cells in a phosphatidylserine-specific manner.
NCBI Summary:
This gene encodes a nuclear protein with a JmjC domain. JmjC domain-containing proteins are predicted to function as protein hydroxylases or histone demethylases. This protein was first identified as a putative phosphatidylserine receptor involved in phagocytosis of apoptotic cells; however, subsequent studies have indicated that it does not directly function in the clearance of apoptotic cells, and questioned whether it is a true phosphatidylserine receptor. Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]
General function
Receptor, Cell death/survival, Apoptosis
Comment
Cellular localization
Plasma membrane
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Ovarian function
Follicle atresia, Luteolysis
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Expression regulated by
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Ovarian localization
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Using RT-PCR, Nagase et al. (1998) found that expression was
high in heart, skeletal muscle, and kidney, and moderate or low in brain, placenta, lung, liver, pancreas, spleen, thymus,
prostate, testis, and ovary.