apelin (APJ endogenous ligand, [Contains: Apelin-36; Apelin-31; Apelin-28; Apelin-13], APLN, APEL)

Function

• endogenous ligand for APJ, an alternative coreceptor with CD4 for HIV-1 infection
• inhibits HIV-1 entry in cells coexpressing CD4 & APJ
• Apelin-36 has a greater inhibitory activity on HIV infection than other synthetic apelin derivatives
• oral intake in the colostrum & the milk could have a role in modulation of immune responses in neonates
• role in the central control of body fluid homeostasis by influencing AVP release and drinking behavior (putative)
• several active peptides may be produced by proteolytic processing of the peptide precursor

Structure

belongs to the apelin family

Compartment

secreted

Expression

• expressed in brain with highest levels in frontal cortex, thalamus, hypothalamus, midbrain
• secreted by mammary gland into colostrum & milk

Laboratory

• apelin in serum/plasma

More general terms

• secreted protein

Database

• OMIM: https://mirror.omim.org/entry/300297
• UniProt: http://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q9ULZ1.html