Pracrine and atocrine actions of clusterin during the process of tissue modeling and remodeling

초록

Clusterin, a heterodimeric glycoprotein, has been identified as a secretory molecule participating in the process of tissue remodeling. We have monitored expression and modulation of this protein in pancreatic tissues. During the development of pancreas, higher expression of clusterin and its proteolytic internal cleavage were transiently identified at E16-18 in alpha and beta cells, implying its role in islet formation. Recently, emphasis has been given to its role in the process of programmed cell death/apoptosis. We have investigated the expression of clusterin in pancreatic tissue of streptozotocin-treated rats.