Alpha 2-macroglobulin

Jump to navigation Jump to search

WikiDoc Resources for Alpha 2-macroglobulin

Articles

Most recent articles on Alpha 2-macroglobulin

Most cited articles on Alpha 2-macroglobulin

Review articles on Alpha 2-macroglobulin

Articles on Alpha 2-macroglobulin in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ

Media

Powerpoint slides on Alpha 2-macroglobulin

Images of Alpha 2-macroglobulin

Photos of Alpha 2-macroglobulin

Podcasts & MP3s on Alpha 2-macroglobulin

Videos on Alpha 2-macroglobulin

Evidence Based Medicine

Cochrane Collaboration on Alpha 2-macroglobulin

Bandolier on Alpha 2-macroglobulin

TRIP on Alpha 2-macroglobulin

Clinical Trials

Ongoing Trials on Alpha 2-macroglobulin at Clinical Trials.gov

Trial results on Alpha 2-macroglobulin

Clinical Trials on Alpha 2-macroglobulin at Google

Guidelines / Policies / Govt

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Alpha 2-macroglobulin

NICE Guidance on Alpha 2-macroglobulin

NHS PRODIGY Guidance

FDA on Alpha 2-macroglobulin

CDC on Alpha 2-macroglobulin

Books

Books on Alpha 2-macroglobulin

News

Alpha 2-macroglobulin in the news

Be alerted to news on Alpha 2-macroglobulin

News trends on Alpha 2-macroglobulin

Commentary

Blogs on Alpha 2-macroglobulin

Definitions

Definitions of Alpha 2-macroglobulin

Patient Resources / Community

Patient resources on Alpha 2-macroglobulin

Discussion groups on Alpha 2-macroglobulin

Patient Handouts on Alpha 2-macroglobulin

Directions to Hospitals Treating Alpha 2-macroglobulin

Risk calculators and risk factors for Alpha 2-macroglobulin

Healthcare Provider Resources

Symptoms of Alpha 2-macroglobulin

Causes & Risk Factors for Alpha 2-macroglobulin

Diagnostic studies for Alpha 2-macroglobulin

Treatment of Alpha 2-macroglobulin

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

CME Programs on Alpha 2-macroglobulin

International

Alpha 2-macroglobulin en Espanol

Alpha 2-macroglobulin en Francais

Business

Alpha 2-macroglobulin in the Marketplace

Patents on Alpha 2-macroglobulin

Experimental / Informatics

List of terms related to Alpha 2-macroglobulin

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]


Identifiers
SymbolA2M
Entrez2
HUGO7
OMIM103950
RefSeqNM_000014
UniProtP01023
Other data
LocusChr. 12 p13.31

Alpha-2 macroglobulin (abbreviated α2M or A2M) is a large plasma protein found in the blood. It is produced by the liver, and is a major component of the alpha-2 band in protein electrophoresis.

Structure

Alpha-2 macroglobulin is compose of four identical subunits bound together by -S-S- bonds.

Function

Alpha-2 macroglobulin is able to inactivate an enormous variety of proteinases (including serine-, cysteine-, aspartic- and metalloproteinases).

Alpha-2 macroglobulin has in its structure a 35 aminoacid "bait" region. Proteinases binding and cleaving the bait region become bound to α2M. The proteinase-α2M complex is recognised by macrophage receptors and cleared from the system.

It functions as an inhibitor of coagulation:

Fibrinolysis (simplified). Blue arrows denote stimulation, and red arrows inhibition.

Disease

Alpha-2 macroglobulin levels are increased in nephrotic syndrome, a condition wherein the kidneys start to leak out some of the smaller blood proteins. Because of its size, α2-macroglobulin is retained in the bloodstream. Increased production of all proteins means α2-macroglobulin concentration increases. This increase has little adverse effect on the health, but is used as a diagnostic clue. Longstanding chronic renal failure can lead to amyloid by alpha-2 macroglobulin (see main article: amyloid).

A common variant (29.5%) (polymorphism) of α2-macroglobulin leads to increased risk of Alzheimer's disease,[1][2] although the mechanism is unknown.

α-2 macroglobulin binds to and removes the active forms of the gelatinase (MMP-2 and MMP-9) from the circulation via scavenger receptors on the phagocytes.

References

  1. Blacker D, Wilcox MA, Laird NM; et al. (1998). "Alpha-2 macroglobulin is genetically associated with Alzheimer disease". Nat Genet. 19 (4): 357&ndash, 60. PMID 9697696.
  2. Kovacs DM (2000). "alpha2-macroglobulin in late-onset Alzheimer's disease". Exp Gerontol. 35 (4): 473&ndash, 9. PMID 10959035.

External links

Template:WikiDoc Sources