TSPO

TSPO (Translocator Protein) is a conserved membrane protein located on the outer mitochondrial membrane of eukaryotic cells, with the 18 kDa subtype being the most studied in mammals. It regulates steroid synthesis, mitochondrial function, apoptosis, and immune responses, influencing mitochondrial membrane permeability, energy metabolism, and cellular stress through pathways such as PKA, MAPK, and NF-κB. TSPO plays a significant role in neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's, Parkinson's), psychiatric disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression), cancer, and inflammatory diseases, with its altered expression making it a potential target for diagnosis and therapy^[1].