Not available outside of the UK & Ireland.

Application

Haptoglobin was used to study induction of the acrosome reaction in sperm. Exposure to low temperature increases their rate of fusion with zona-free hamster oocytes.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Functions by binding to plasma hemoglobin (from hemolysis). The complex is removed from the circulation, by binding to CD163 receptors on macrophages, to salvage iron and prevent oxidative damage.

General description

Haptoglobin is an acute phase protein that scavenges hemoglobin released into the circulation. Haptoglobin, the plasma protein with highest binding affinity to hemoglobin, is mainly expressed in the liver.

Haptoglobin is an α₂-globulin found in normal plasma at a concentration of 82-236 mg/dl and accounts for 0.4-2.6% of the total plasma proteins.The monomeric form of this acute phase plasma protein is composed of four polypeptide chains: two α chains and two β chains.

Other Notes

Occurs as 3 major phenotypes: type 1-1, type 2-1, type 2-2.