Marginal Zone B and B1 Cell-Specific Protein, also known as MZB1, is a protein encoded by the MZB1 gene in humans. This protein plays a crucial role in the immune system, particularly in the function and regulation of B cells, which are a type of white blood cell essential for the adaptive immune response .
The MZB1 gene is located on chromosome 5 and is responsible for encoding the MZB1 protein. This protein is also known by several aliases, including HSPC190, MEDA-7, PACAP, and pERp1 . The MZB1 protein is involved in various cellular processes, including the regulation of calcium stores, antibody secretion, and integrin activation .
MZB1 associates with immunoglobulin M (IgM) heavy and light chains, promoting their assembly and secretion. It may function as a molecular chaperone or an oxidoreductase, displaying a low level of oxidoreductase activity . Additionally, MZB1 helps diversify peripheral B-cell functions by regulating calcium stores, antibody secretion, and integrin activation .
MZB1 has been implicated in several diseases, including late-onset retinal degeneration and non-syndromic X-linked intellectual disability 30 . It acts as a hormone-regulated adipokine/pro-inflammatory cytokine, contributing to chronic inflammation, cellular expansion, and insulin resistance in adipocytes . This protein’s role in inflammation and insulin resistance suggests its potential involvement in metabolic disorders .