Gene:
benzodiazapine receptor (peripheral)
Gene ID:
206415
Symbol:
BZRP
Species:
1000
Description:
Present mainly in the mitochondrial compartment of peripheral tissues, PBR interacts with some benzodiazepines and has different affinities than its endogenous counterpart. PBR appears to be a key factor in the flow of cholesterol into mitochondria to permit the initiation of steroid hormone synthesis. It is speculated that patients with congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia, who cannot make any steroids, might have a genetic lesion in BZRP. A short form, PBR-S is also expressed in the same tissues, but at a level about ten times that of PBR.