Polymorphism of human haptoglobin and its clinical importance

Haptoglobin (Hp) is a plasma glycoprotein, the main biological function of which is to bind free hemoglobin (Hb) and prevent the loss of iron and subsequent kidney damage following intravascular hemolysis. Haptoglobin is also a positive acute-phase protein with immunomodulatory properties. In humans, the HP locus is polymorphic, with two codominant alleles (HP1 and HP2) that yield three distinct genotypes/phenotypes (Hp1-1, Hp2-1 and Hp2-2). The corresponding proteins have structural and functional differences that may influence the susceptibility and/or outcome in several diseases. This article summarizes the available data on the structure and functions of Hp and the possible effects of Hp polymorphism in a number of important human disorders.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Wobeto,Vânia Peretti de Albuquerque, Zaccariotto,Tânia Regina, Sonati,Maria de Fátima
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Sociedade Brasileira de Genética 2008
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1415-47572008000400002
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