Alpha 2 Macroglobulin Antibody

Prouduct:We constantly strive to ensure we provide our customers with the best antibodies. As a result of this work we offer this antibody in purified format. We are in the process of updating our datasheets. If you have any questions regarding this update, please feel free to contact our technical support team.This product is a high quality Alpha 2 Macroglobulin Antibody.Functiong:Is able to inhibit all four classes of proteinases by a unique 'trapping' mechanism. This protein has a peptide stretch, called the 'bait region' which contains specific cleavage sites for different proteinases. When a proteinase cleaves the bait region, a conformational change is induced in the protein which traps the proteinase. The entrapped enzyme remains active against low molecular weight substrates (activity against high molecular weight substrates is greatly reduced). Following cleavage in the bait region a thioester bond is hydrolyzed and mediates the covalent binding of the protein to the proteinase.Summary:Alpha 2 macroglobulin (A2M) is a major serum protein found at concentrations of 240 mg per 100 ml in men and 290 mg per 100 ml in women. It functions as a broad-spectrum protease-binding protein. It is produced by the liver, and is a major component of the alpha-2 band in protein electrophoresis. It is a large plasma glycoprotein that has long been known as an irreversible inhibitor of a variety of proteinases. More recently, it has been reported that numerous growth factors, cytokines and hormones bind to alpha 2M through diverse mechanisms. A2M is also produced in the brain where it binds multiple extracellular ligands and is internalized by neurons and astrocytes. In the brain of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, A2M has been localized to diffuse amyloid plaques. A2M also binds soluble beta-amyloid, of which it mediates degradation. Protease-conjugated alpha2-macroglobulin is selectively bound by cells contacting the body fluids and alpha2-macroglobulin and its protease cargo are then internalized and degraded in secondary lysosomes of those cells.