Alpha2-Macroglobulin (A2M) Antibody – Goat Polyclonal

alpha2Macroglobulin (alpha2M) is a large proteinase inhibitor molecule of 718,000 daltons, consisting of 4 identical subunits of 185,000 each. Produced in hepatocytes and macrophages, plasma concentrations of alpha2M are typically 2 uM in adults, and as high as 6 uM in childhood. alpha2M has the ability to inhibit most enzymes from the serine, metallo, cysteine and aspartate subclasses. It is not a member of the SERPIN family of inhibitors but belongs to a class of proteins that include pregnancy zone protein (PZP) and the complement proteins C3, C4 and C5. These proteins contain regions of conserved sequence as well as one or more internal beta-cysteinyl-gamma- glutamyl thiolester bonds, which in the case of alpha2M are susceptible to cleavage by enzymes or by nucleophilic compounds such as methylamine or ammonium ions. Although the precise nature of the interactions is as yet unknown, it is generally thought that cleavage of a bait region within the alpha2M molecule by an enzyme leads to a conformational change, which then traps and/or covalently binds the enzyme1,2. The active site of the trapped enzyme is usually still intact and able to cleave small substrates, but is inaccessible to larger natural substrates. The conformational change induced also exposes receptor-binding regions within the molecule, which may be important in the clearance of alpha2M-enzyme complexes from the circulation. It is thought that the main role of alpha2M in vivo is that of a "backup" inhibitor and scavenger of proteinases in blood and in tissues3,4, but it has also been reported to participate in other physiological processes, including regulation of immune function1,2.

1. Salvesen G, Pizzo SV; Proteinase Inhibitors: alpha-Macroglobulins, Serpins and Kunins; in Hemostasis and Thrombosis, 3rd Edition, eds. RW Colman, J Hirsh, VJ Marder and EW Salzman, pp. 241-258, J.B. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia PA, USA, 1994.
2. Barrett J; alpha2Macroglobulin; Methods in Enzymology, 80, pp 737-754, 1981 Larsson LJ, Neuenschwander DE, Strickland DK; Reaction of Proteinases with alpha2Macroglobulin: Evidence for Alternate Reaction Pathways in the Inhibition of Trypsin; Biochemistry 28, pp 7636-7643, 1989.
3. Schmidt B, Mitchell L, Ofosu FA, Andrew M; alpha2Macroglobulin is an Important Progressive Inhibitor of Thrombin in Neonatal and Infant Plasma; Thromb Haemostas 62, pp 1074-1077, 1989.
4. Hoogendoorn H, Toh CH, Nesheim ME, Giles AR; alpha2Macroglobulin Binds and Inhibits Activated Protein C; Blood 78, pp2283-2290, 1991.

Small volumes of anti-A2M antibody vial(s) may occasionally become entrapped in the seal of the product vial during shipment and storage. If necessary, briefly centrifuge the vial on a tabletop centrifuge to dislodge any liquid in the container`s cap. Certain products may require to ship with dry ice and additional dry ice fee may apply.

MBS512010 is an antibody targeting A2M. Also known as Goat anti-human alpha2Macroglobulin (alpha2M), Whole IgG from antiserum. Host: Goat.