Comparative analysis of the metal-dependent structural and functional properties of mouse and human SMP30.

Senescence Marker Protein (SMP30) is a metalloenzyme that shows lactonase activity in the ascorbic acid (AA) biosynthesis pathway in non-primate mammals such as a mouse. However, AA biosynthesis does not occur in the primates including humans. Several studies have shown the role of SMP30 in maintaining calcium homeostasis in mammals.