Translocator Protein (18 kDa) (TSPO) is a mitochondrial transmembrane protein commonly used as a biomarker for neuroinflammation and is also a potential therapeutic target in neurodegenerative diseases. Despite intensive research efforts, the function of TSPO is still largely enigmatic. Deciphering TSPO structure in the native lipid environment is essential to gain insight into its cellular activities and to design improved diagnostic and therapeutic ligands. Here, we discuss the influence of lipid composition on the structure of mammalian TSPO embedded into lipid bilayers on the basis of solid-state NMR experiments. We further highlight that cholesterol can influence both the tertiary and quaternary TSPO structure and also influence TSPO localization in mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes.

转运蛋白 (18 kDa) (TSPO) 是一种线粒体跨膜蛋白，通常用作神经炎症的生物标志物，也是神经退行性疾病的潜在治疗靶点。尽管进行了大量的研究工作，但 TSPO 的功能在很大程度上仍然是个谜。破译天然脂质环境中的 TSPO 结构对于深入了解其细胞活性和设计改进的诊断和治疗配体至关重要。在这里，我们在固态核磁共振实验的基础上讨论了脂质成分对嵌入脂质双层的哺乳动物 TSPO 结构的影响。我们进一步强调胆固醇可以影响三级和四级 TSPO 结构，也会影响 TSPO 在线粒体相关内质网膜中的定位。