Description
α-klotho (alpha-klotho) protein is a 130 kDa, one-transmembrane protein and its expression is confirmed in the kidneys and the parathyroid glands.
It has become clear that alpha klotho is an important molecule within a living organism, regulating the metabolism of minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. Therefore, it is considered that, in alpha-klotho mouse, early aging-like symptoms are induced by impaired mineral homeostasis caused by decreased expression of alpha-klotho. Also, it is reported that the long N-terminal extracellular domain, which comprises the major portion of sequence of alpha-klotho protein, is released free into blood by shedding.