CREACTIVE PROTEIN
C-reactive protein: translation
A protein of the pentraxin family found in serum in various disease conditions particularly during the acute phase of immune response. C reactive protein is synthesized by hepatocytes and its production may be triggered by prostaglandin E1 or parogen. It consists of five polypeptide subunits forming a molecule of total molecular weight 105 kD. It binds to polysaccharides present in a wide range of bacterial, fungal and other cell walls or cell surfaces and to lecithin and to phosphoryl- or choline-containing molecules. It is related in structure to serum amyloid. See also acute phase proteins and C polysaccharide.