Physiological functions and pathological effects of high mobility group protein box 1

High mobility group protein box 1 (HMGB1), a protein previously known as a nonhistone chromosomal protein, has been implicated in cellular functions, including maintenance of nucleosomal structure and stability, and binding of transcription factors to their cognate DNA sequences.In recent years, many investigations showed that HMGB1 can function as an extracellular cytokine and contribute to cell differentiation, transference,regeneration and inflammation genesis .Also, it is implicated in genesis of some severe diseases, such as tumor, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and lethal systemic inflammation reaction syndrome.Here the diverse physiological functions and pathological effects of HMGB1 are reviewed.