Recombinant Human Alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M), Truncated

Uniprot Id

P01023

Target Species

Human

Target Name

A2M

Target Full Name

Alpha-2-macroglobulin

Target Function

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.

Target Subcellular Location

Secreted.

Target Protein Families

Protease inhibitor I39 (alpha-2-macroglobulin) family

Target Tissue Specificity

Secreted in plasma.

Target Synonyms

A2m; A2MG_HUMAN; Alpha 2 M; Alpha 2M; Alpha-2-M; Alpha-2-macroglobulin; C3 and PZP-like alpha-2-macroglobulin domain-containing protein 5; CPAMD5; DKFZp779B086; FWP007; S863 7

Target Background

The protein encoded by this gene is a protease inhibitor and cytokine transporter. It uses a bait-and-trap mechanism to inhibit a broad spectrum of proteases, including trypsin, thrombin and collagenase. It can also inhibit inflammatory cytokines, and it thus disrupts inflammatory cascades. Mutations in this gene are a cause of alpha-2-macroglobulin deficiency. This gene is implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) due to its ability to mediate the clearance and degradation of A-beta, the major component of beta-amyloid deposits. A related pseudogene, which is also located on the p arm of chromosome 12, has been identified.