This gene encodes a member of the serum amyloid A family of apolipoproteins. The encoded preproprotein is proteolytically processed to generate the mature protein. This protein is a major acute phase protein that is highly expressed in response to inflammation and tissue injury. This protein also plays an important role in HDL metabolism and cholesterol homeostasis. High levels of this protein are associated with chronic inflammatory diseases including atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's disease and Crohn's disease. This protein may also be a potential biomarker for certain tumors. Finally, antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and E. coli resides in the N-terminal portion of the mature protein. Alternate splicing results in multiple transcript variants that encode the same protein. A pseudogene of this gene is found on chromosome 11. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2020] see less This gene encodes a member of the serum amyloid A family of apolipoproteins. The encoded preproprotein is proteolytically processed to generate the mature protein. This protein is a major acute phase protein that is highly expressed in response to inflammation and tissue injury. This protein also plays an important role in HDL metabolism and cholesterol homeostasis. High levels of this protein ... see more