Vitamin D Binding Protein, also known as gc-globulin, is a 458 – amino acid, glycosylated protein encoded by the gene GC, which is in the albumin gene family. The primary function of this protein is to bind Vitamin D and its metabolites and to transport them to tissue. Vitamin D Binding protein is highly expressed and secreted into serum primarily from hepatic cells. There are three common alleles of the protein (Gc1f, Gc1s, and Gc2), and several minor polymorphisms. Different glycosylation sites are found on the isoforms of Vitamin D binding protein, a selectively deglycosylated form produced by B cell ß-galactosidase and T cell sialidase is known as Macrophage Activating Factor. MAF has been found to block angiogenic effects of several proteins on vascular endothelial cells.
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