Not available outside of the UK & Ireland.

Analysis Note

Plasma from each donor has been tested and found negative for antibody to HIV-1/HIV-2, antibody to HCV and HbSAg.

Application

Inhibits all classes of endoproteases by forming a complex with the protease. When the protease cleaves the macroglobulin "bait" sequence, the macroglobulin rearranges and traps the protease.

α₂-Macroglobulin was used to study impaired lipoprotein receptor-mediated peripheral binding of plasma amyloid-β which is an early biomarker for mild cognitive impairment preceding Alzheimer′s disease. It was also used in the control of the classical and the MBL pathway of complement activation.

Biochem/physiol Actions

α₂-Macroglobulin is found abundantly in plasma and interstitial fluids. The protease-α₂-M balance plays an important role in mediating inflammatory tissue destruction. Serum levels of α₂-M and protease-α₂-M complexes are increased in patients with sepsis, emphysema, periodontitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory diseases, and oxidant inactivation of α₂-M may contribute to tissue destruction during inflammation.

α₂-Macroglobulin (α₂M) is a multifunctional protein that is a broad spectrum protease inhibitor. α₂M is a large homotetrameric glycoprotein (720 kDa) that is connected by disulfide-linked dimers which non-covalently interact to give the quaternary structure. α₂M is found in normal plasma at a concentration of 220-230 mg/dl accounting for 3-5% of the total plasma protein.

Packaging

Package size based on protein content

Physical form

Lyophilized from 0.02 M Tris, 0.13 M glycine, pH 8.0, and 0.08 M trehalose