SAA4 is a constitutively expressed protein, meaning it is continuously produced in the body, unlike other SAA proteins that are only produced during the acute phase response . It is primarily associated with high-density lipoproteins (HDL) in the blood . The exact physiological function of SAA4 is not entirely understood, but it is believed to play a role in lipid metabolism and transport, as well as in the inflammatory response .
Recombinant SAA4 refers to the protein that has been genetically engineered and produced in a laboratory setting. This is typically done using bacterial expression systems, such as E. coli, to produce the protein with a high degree of purity . The recombinant version of SAA4 often includes a His-tag at the N-terminus to facilitate purification and detection .
Recombinant SAA4 is used in various research applications to study its role in inflammation, lipid metabolism, and diseases such as atherosclerosis . It is also used to investigate the mechanisms of amyloid formation and its implications in amyloidosis, a condition characterized by the accumulation of amyloid fibrils in tissues .