The molecular species responsible for α1-antitrypsin deficiency are suppressed by a small molecule chaperone
The formation of ordered Z (Glu342Lys) α1-antitrypsin polymers in hepatocytes is central to liver disease in α1-antitrypsin deficiency. In vitro experiments have identified an intermediate conformational state (M*) that precedes polymer formation, but this has yet to be identified in vivo. Moreover, the mechanism of polymer formation and their fate in cells have been incompletely characterised.