SCARA1 (Scavenger Receptor Class A Member 1)

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SCARA1 (Scavenger Receptor Class A Member 1)

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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

...

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
Immune Recognition: Recognizes pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damaged-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs)
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]

Microglial activation triggers pro-inflammatory cytokine release
Chronic activation leads to neuronal damage
Therapeutic targeting may reduce neuroinflammation

Therapeutic Implications

SCARA1 represents a potential therapeutic target: [@neuroinflammation2019]

Enhanced Amyloid Clearance: Strategies to enhance SCARA1-mediated amyloid clearance

Anti-inflammatory Therapy: Modulating SCARA1 signaling to reduce harmful inflammation

Microglial Modulation: Targeting SCARA1 to promote beneficial microglial phenotypes

Drug Delivery: Using SCARA1 as a target for drug delivery to microglia

Cross-References

[Microglia](/cell-types/microglia)
[Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease)
[Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease)
[Neuroinflammation](/mechanisms/neuroinflammation)
[Amyloid Cascade Hypothesis](/mechanisms/amyloid-cascade)

External Links

[Ensembl: ENSG00000138206](https://www.ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Gene/Summary?g=ENSG00000138206)

Additional evidence sources: [@targeting2021] [@scavenger2013]

References

[Unknown, SCARA1 Structure and Function (2000) (2000)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10679264/)

[Unknown, Scavenger Receptors in Atherosclerosis (2018) (2018)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2018.01.018)

[Unknown, Microglial Scavenger Receptors in AD (2006) (2006)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16531385/)

[Unknown, Amyloid Clearance by Scavenger Receptors (2012) (2012)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22495375/)

[Unknown, SCARA1 in Neuroinflammation (2015) (2015)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2014.12.012)

[Unknown, Microglia in Alzheimer's Disease (2019) (2019)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2019.09.001)

[Unknown, Parkinson's Disease Neuroinflammation (2020) (2020)](https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.28004)

[Unknown, Scavenger Receptor Genetics in AD (2008) (2008)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18239150/)

[Unknown, Microglial Amyloid Phagocytosis (2017) (2017)](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00401-017-1727-5)

[Unknown, Neuroinflammation in PD (2019) (2019)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.05.019)

[Unknown, Targeting Microglia in Neurodegeneration (2021) (2021)](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-021-00461-4)

[Unknown, Scavenger Receptor Function in Brain (2013) (2013)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24309546/)

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Related Entities

SCARA1

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slug	genes-scara1
kg_node_id	SCARA1
entity_type	gene
origin_type	v1_polymorphic_backfill
source_table	wiki_pages
wiki_page_id	wp-76191a827150
__merged_from	{'merged_at': '2026-05-13', 'unprefixed_id': 'genes-scara1'}
_schema_version	1

📊 Evidence Profile Foundational

Evidence Balance

+0%

Certainty

50%

Debates

0

Incoming

10

Outgoing

11

0 supporting 0 contradicting 0 neutral

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📗 Cite This Artifact

SCARA1 (Scavenger Receptor Class A Member 1)

SCARA1 (Scavenger Receptor Class A Member 1)

Overview

Gene Information

SCARA1 (Scavenger Receptor Class A Member 1)

Overview

Gene Information

Protein Information

Normal Function

Role in the Nervous System

Role in Neurodegeneration

Alzheimer's Disease

Parkinson's Disease

Neuroinflammation

Therapeutic Implications

Cross-References

See Also

External Links

References

💬 Discussion