Tags: Protein.
Translocator protein (TSPO) is an 18 kDa protein mainly found on the outer mitochondrial membrane. It interacts with StAR (steroidogenic acute regulatory protein) to transport cholesterol into mitochondria. It was first described as peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) a secondary binding site for diazepam but subsequent research has found the receptor to be expressed throughout the body and brain. In humans the translocator protein is encoded by the TSPO gene.