Alpha-Fodrin (SPTAN1)

Alpha-Fodrin is an intracellular, actin-binding, organ-specific protein of the cytoskeleton. The network of actin and fodrin situated below the plasma membrane of secretorial cells, is important for the alignment of secretorial vesicles to the plasma membrane during secretorial processes. During apoptosis the alpha-fodrin dimer is cleaved into a 120 kDa breakdown product, which is found abundantly in the salivary gland. This proteolysis of fodrin may be a consequence of protease activation during apoptosis. The cleavage product of 120 kDa alpha-fodrin was found to be an important autoantigen in the pathogenesis of organ-specific autoimmune esponse. Clinical studies have shown, that in patients with Sjögren Syndrome alpha-fodrin is involved in the stimulation of peripheral blood T-cells.