<table class="infobox infobox-gene"> <tr> <th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">SCARA1 (Scavenger Receptor Class A Member 1)</th> </tr> <tr> <td class="label">Symbol</td> <td><strong>SCARA1</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="label">Full Name</td> <td>SCARA1 (Scavenger Receptor Class A Member 1)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="label">Type</td> <td>Gene</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="label">NCBI</td> <td><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/?term=SCARA1" target="_blank">Search NCBI</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="label">KG Connections</td> <td><a href="/atlas" style="color:#4fc3f7">4 edges</a></td> </tr> </table>
Gene Symbol: SCARA1
Path: /genes/scara1
Also Known As: MSR1, SCARA1, SR-A1, SR-AI, SCARA2 [@microglial2006]
Overview
SCARA1 (Scavenger Receptor Class A Member 1), also known as MSR1 (Macrophage Scavenger Receptor 1), is a member of the class A scavenger receptor family. These receptors are characterized by their ability to bind and internalize modified low-density lipoproteins (LDL), including oxidized LDL and acetylated LDL. SCARA1 is primarily expressed in macrophages and plays important roles in lipid metabolism, atherosclerosis, immune response, and has been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease. [@amyloid2012]
Gene Information
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SCARA1 (Scavenger Receptor Class A Member 1)
<table class="infobox infobox-gene"> <tr> <th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">SCARA1 (Scavenger Receptor Class A Member 1)</th> </tr> <tr> <td class="label">Symbol</td> <td><strong>SCARA1</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="label">Full Name</td> <td>SCARA1 (Scavenger Receptor Class A Member 1)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="label">Type</td> <td>Gene</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="label">NCBI</td> <td><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/?term=SCARA1" target="_blank">Search NCBI</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="label">KG Connections</td> <td><a href="/atlas" style="color:#4fc3f7">4 edges</a></td> </tr> </table>
Gene Symbol: SCARA1
Path: /genes/scara1
Also Known As: MSR1, SCARA1, SR-A1, SR-AI, SCARA2 [@microglial2006]
Overview
SCARA1 (Scavenger Receptor Class A Member 1), also known as MSR1 (Macrophage Scavenger Receptor 1), is a member of the class A scavenger receptor family. These receptors are characterized by their ability to bind and internalize modified low-density lipoproteins (LDL), including oxidized LDL and acetylated LDL. SCARA1 is primarily expressed in macrophages and plays important roles in lipid metabolism, atherosclerosis, immune response, and has been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease. [@amyloid2012]
Gene Information
Official Name: Scavenger Receptor Class A Member 1
Gene Symbol: SCARA1
Chromosomal Location: 8p23.1
Entrez Gene ID: 4451
Ensembl ID: ENSG00000138206
UniProt ID: Q9Y6Q9
Protein Information
Protein Name: Scavenger Receptor Class A Member 1
Molecular Weight: ~49 kDa (monomer), forms functional homo-oligomers
Length: 471 amino acids
Structure: Type II transmembrane protein with extracellular collagen-like domain, N-terminal cytoplasmic tail
Expression: Primarily macrophages, also [microglia](/cell-types/microglia-neuroinflammation) in brain
Normal Function
SCARA1 functions as a scavenger receptor with multiple ligands and functions: [@scara2015]
Modified LDL Uptake: Binds and internalizes oxidized LDL and acetylated LDL, contributing to cholesterol accumulation in macrophages
Atherosclerosis: Promotes foam cell formation in arterial walls, a key step in atherosclerotic plaque development
Apoptotic Cell Clearance: Mediates phagocytosis of apoptotic cells (efferocytosis)
Immune Modulation: Activates inflammatory signaling pathways in macrophages
The receptor forms oligomers that increase its ligand-binding affinity. SCARA1 signaling can activate [NF-κB](/entities/nf-kb) and other inflammatory pathways. [@microglia2019]
Role in the Nervous System
SCARA1 has significant roles in the nervous system, particularly in glial cells: [@parkinsons2020]
Microglial Function: Highly expressed in microglia, the brain's immune cells
Amyloid Clearance: Can bind and internalize [amyloid-beta](/proteins/amyloid-beta) plaques in AD brain
Neuroinflammation: Mediates microglial activation in response to various stimuli
Neuronal Damage Response: Participates in recognizing and responding to damaged [neurons](/entities/neurons)
Role in Neurodegeneration
SCARA1 has important connections to neurodegenerative diseases: [@scavenger2008]
Alzheimer's Disease
Amyloid Clearance: SCARA1 on microglia can bind and clear amyloid-beta, representing a potential therapeutic mechanism
Chronic Inflammation: Persistent activation may contribute to neuroinflammation
Foam Cell Formation: Similar to peripheral atherosclerosis, microglial foam cells may form in AD brain
Genetic Associations: SCARA1 polymorphisms have been investigated for AD risk
Parkinson's Disease
Microglial Activation: Mediates dopaminergic neuron loss through neuroinflammation
[Alpha-Synuclein](/proteins/alpha-synuclein) Clearance: May interact with aggregated alpha-synuclein
Oxidative Stress: Contributes to oxidative damage in PD brain
Neuroinflammation
SCARA1 plays a central role in neuroinflammation: [@microglial2017]