The Function of A2M
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.
Protein names
Recommended name:
Alpha-2-macroglobulinAlternative name(s):
Alpha-2-MC3 and PZP-like alpha-2-macroglobulin domain-containing protein 5
- RS11609582 (A2M) ??
- RS669 (A2M) ??
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Top Gene-Substance Interactions
A2M Interacts with These Diseases
| Disease | Score |
Substances That Increase A2M
| Substances | Interaction | Organism | Category |
Substances That Decrease A2M
| Substances | Interaction | Organism | Category |
Conditions with Increased Gene Activity
| Condition | Change (log2fold) | Comparison | Species | Experimental variables | Experiment name |
|---|
Conditions with Decreased Gene Activity
| Condition | Change (log2fold) | Comparison | Species | Experimental variables | Experiment name |
|---|
Technical
The following transcription factors affect gene expression:
Tissue specificity:
Secreted in plasma.
Gene Pathways:
Developmental stage:
Contrary to the rat protein, which is an acute phase protein, this protein is always present at high levels in circulation.
Molecular Function:
- Calcium-Dependent Protein Binding
- Enzyme Binding
- Growth Factor Binding
- Gtpase Activator Activity
- Interleukin-1 Binding
- Interleukin-8 Binding
- Protease Binding
- Receptor Binding
- Serine-Type Endopeptidase Inhibitor Activity
- Tumor Necrosis Factor Binding
Biological Processes:
- Blood Coagulation, Intrinsic Pathway
- Extracellular Matrix Disassembly
- Negative Regulation Of Complement Activation, Lectin Pathway
- Platelet Degranulation
- Regulation Of Small Gtpase Mediated Signal Transduction
- Stem Cell Differentiation
Drug Bank:
- Becaplermin
- Ocriplasmin
- Bacitracin