α 2-Macroglobulin (α 2 M) or alpha-2-macroglobulin is a large (720 KDa) plasma protein found in the blood. It is mainly produced by the liver, and also locally synthesized by macrophages, fibroblasts, and adrenocortical cells. In humans it is encoded by the A2M gene.

Alpha-2-macroglobulin is an extracellular macromolecule mainly known for its role as a broad-spectrum protease inhibitor. By presenting itself as an optimal substrate for endopeptidases of all catalytic types, alpha-2-macroglobulin lures active ...

Alpha-2-macroglobulin is a protease inhibitor and is one of the largest plasma proteins. It transports hormones and enzymes, exhibits effector and inhibitor functions in the development of the lymphatic system, and inhibits components of the complement and hemostasis systems.

Alpha-2-Macroglobulin (A2M) is a major plasma protein in humans with various functions including ion transport, carrier protein, and the inhibition of proteinases.

Alpha-2 macroglobulin is a notable plasma component with a molecular mass of 820 kDa, about 300 mg/100 ml, and around 10% carbohydrate in 31 glycans. Alpha-2 macroglobulin is a tetrameric protein which means, in essence, that it is predominantly made up of …

Alpha-2-macroglobulin (α2 M), a key member of alpha macroglobulin superfamily, is a high-molecular weight homotetrameric glycoprotein. α2 M has many diversified and complex functions, but it is primarily known by its ability to inhibit a broad spectrum of proteases without the direct blockage of the protease active site. α2 M is also known ...

After immunoglobulin, alpha-2-macroglobulin (α2M) is the second largest protein present in plasma and is mainly synthesized by liver parenchymal cells. As a major protein which inhibits virtually any proteinase, α2M acts as a humoral defence barrier in vertebrates against pathogens in blood and tissue [68,69] .

3.4.1 Alpha 2-Macroglobulin (A2M) A2M is the largest major nonimmunoglobulin protein in plasma. It is an evolutionarily conserved element of the innate immune system whose best characterized function is the clearance of active proteases from the tissue fluids (Travis and Salvesen, 1983).

α 2 -macroglobulins are broad-spectrum endopeptidase inhibitors, which have to date been characterised from metazoans (vertebrates and invertebrates) and Gram-negative bacteria. Their structural and biochemical properties reveal two related modes of action: the "Venus flytrap" and the "snap-trap" mechanisms.

Sep 29, 2023 · α 2 -macroglobulin (α 2 M) is a versatile endopeptidase inhibitor that plays a role in cell growth, inflammation and coagulation. α 2 M is an inhibitor of key coagulation enzyme thrombin. Hypercoagulability due to an excess of thrombin …