 Transthyretin

Transthyretin is a secreted transport protein that forms a tetramer and carries thyroid hormones in blood plasma and cerebrospinal fluid. It also associates with retinol-binding protein, contributing to transport of vitamin A. The transported small molecule and the carrier have different roles: binding changes distribution and availability rather than turning the carrier into a thyroid hormone. ^[ref]

Transthyretin also illustrates the link between assembly and disease. Destabilization and misassembly can produce amyloid deposits. Functional transport by a soluble tetramer and accumulation of aggregated material are different molecular states, so detecting the same protein sequence does not establish that it remains in its normal assembly.