pfam00277: SAA (This model is not part of the current CDD release)
Serum amyloid A protein
The serum amyloid A (SAA) proteins comprise a family of vertebrate amphipathic alpha-helical apolipoproteins that associate predominantly with high density lipoproteins (HDL). They play a role in the mobilisation of cholesterol for tissue repair and regeneration. The synthesis of these proteins is greatly increased (as much as a 1000 fold) in inflammation, being a major acute phase reactant together with C-reactive protein. They act as cytokine-like proteins that are involved in cell-cell communication and in inflammatory, immunologic, neoplastic and protective pathways. Prolonged elevation of plasma SAA levels, as in chronic inflammation, results in a pathological condition, called amyloidosis, which is characterised by the highly insoluble accumulation of SAA in several tissues. During chronic inflammation, SAA association with HDL can change its protein and lipid composition which abrogates the HDL anti-atherogenic properties, contributing to a pro-atherogenic state.
Jiyao W et al.(2023). "The conserved domain database in 2023.",