α-2M Antibody (590CT15.5.5): sc-517379

α-2M Antibody (590CT15.5.5) is a mouse monoclonal IgM antibody that detects α-2M protein of mouse, rat, and human origin by western blotting (WB). α-2M (590CT15.5.5) antibody is available as the non-conjugated form. α-2-Macroglobulin (α-2M) is a homotetrameric serum protein composed of four identical subunits that dimerize through disulfide bonds, a structural feature that is crucial for its function as a pan-proteinase inhibitor. This unique structure allows α-2M to effectively "bait" proteinases, leading to a conformational change that enables the protein to trap and inhibit these enzymes, thereby regulating proteolytic activity in the serum. Beyond its role as an inhibitor, α-2M serves as a carrier protein and plays a significant role in the regulation of cytokines during inflammatory responses. Notably, α-2M binds to transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) in circulation, rendering TGFβ inactive, and also interacts with interleukin-6 (IL-6), enhancing its local concentration near lymphocytes, hepatocytes, and stem cells, which are pivotal in mediating inflammation. Importantly, mutations and deletions in the gene encoding α-2M have been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer′s Disease, highlighting its critical role in the clearance and degradation of amyloid-beta, the primary component of amyloid plaques associated with this neurodegenerative condition.

The preferred α-2M antibody is α-2M Antibody (H-8): sc-390544.