Recent Advances in Transthyretin Evolution, Structure and Biological Functions

Since its first description in 1942 in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid, transthyretin (TTR) has had an eventful history, including changes in name from “prealbumin” to “thyroxine-binding prealbumin” to “transthyretin” as knowledge increased about its functions. TTR is synthesised in a wide range of tissues in humans and other eutherian mammals: the liver, choroid plexus (blood- cerebrospinal fluid barrier), retinal pigment epithelium of the eye, pancreas, intestine and meninges. However,...