MGP Database

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MGP000001

UniProt Annotations

Entry Information
Gene Namealpha-2-macroglobulin
Protein EntryA2MG_HUMAN
UniProt IDP01023
SpeciesHuman
Comments
Comment typeDescription
Developmental StageContrary to the rat protein, which is an acute phase protein, this protein is always present at high levels in circulation.
FunctionIs 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.
Sequence CautionSequence=AAT02228.1; Type=Erroneous initiation; Note=Translation N-terminally shortened.; Evidence={ECO:0000305}; Sequence=BAD92851.1; Type=Erroneous initiation; Note=Translation N-terminally shortened.; Evidence={ECO:0000305};
SimilarityBelongs to the protease inhibitor I39 (alpha-2- macroglobulin) family. {ECO:0000305}.
Subcellular LocationSecreted {ECO:0000269|PubMed:6203908}.
SubunitHomotetramer; disulfide-linked. {ECO:0000269|PubMed:2430963, ECO:0000269|PubMed:6203908}.
Tissue SpecificitySecreted in plasma. {ECO:0000269|PubMed:6203908}.
Web ResourceName=Wikipedia; Note=Alpha-2 macroglobulin entry; URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_2-macroglobulin";
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