Apod - apolipoprotein D

The protein encoded by this gene is a component of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), but is unique in that it shares greater structural similarity to lipocalin than to other members of the apolipoprotein family, and has a wider tissue expression pattern. The encoded protein is involved in lipid metabolism, and ablation of this gene results in defects in triglyceride metabolism. Elevated levels of this gene product have been observed in multiple tissues of Niemann-Pick disease mouse models, as well as in some tumors. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2014]