Scavenger Receptor Class A Member 3 (SCARA3)

SCARA3 encodes a macrophage scavenger receptor-like protein. This protein has been shown to deplete reactive oxygen species, and thus play an important role in protecting cells from oxidative stress. The expression of this gene is induced by oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress is a pathogenic condition that causes cellular damage and, in a normal functioning cell, several transcription factors respond to this threat by modulating expression of genes whose products ameliorate the altered redox status in some way. Under conditions of oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species were significantly depleted in CSR-overexpressing cells, indicating that the CSR product protects cells by scavenging oxidative molecules or harmful products of oxidation.