Anti-Alpha-2-Macroglobulin (A2M) Rabbit Polyclonal Antibody for WB, ELISA - P01023

Core Product Specifications and Parameters

Biological Background: Alpha-2-Macroglobulin (A2M) Function and Localization

• Alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M) is a large plasma glycoprotein that acts as a broad-spectrum protease inhibitor, capable of trapping proteinases from all four catalytic classes through a unique conformational change mechanism.
• The protein contains a 'bait region' with specific cleavage sites; proteolytic cleavage within this region triggers a major structural rearrangement that physically entraps the invading protease.
• Following bait region cleavage, an internal thioester bond is hydrolyzed, enabling covalent attachment of A2M to the protease. This traps the enzyme while maintaining its activity toward small substrates but restricting access to large ones.
• Encoded by the A2M gene (Gene ID: 2), A2M belongs to the alpha-2-macroglobulin family, which includes related proteins such as PZP (pregnancy zone protein) and complement component C3.
• A2M is secreted and primarily found in plasma, where it plays a key role in regulating proteolytic cascades, modulating inflammation, and maintaining homeostasis.
• Post-translational modifications include disulfide bonds, N-linked glycosylation, and the unique thioester bond that forms an isopeptide linkage during protease trapping.

Experimental Guidance and Technical Tips

• The immunogen corresponds to amino acids 1155–1474 of human A2M, a region that may contain parts of the bait region and thioester domain. Researchers should consider verifying reactivity with both native and denatured forms in their assay systems.
• For Western blotting (WB), a band near 163 kDa may be observed under reducing conditions; validation using positive and negative controls (e.g., plasma samples from human, mouse, or rat) is recommended.
• For ELISA applications, using paired antibody sets or sandwich formats may be explored. Titrate the antibody carefully to optimize signal-to-noise ratio.
• Due to cross-reactivity with mouse and rat A2M, this antibody may be suitable for translational studies; however, species-specific sequence homology should be examined for the epitope region.

CamelBio: Your One-Stop Sourcing Bridge

CamelBio acts as a one-stop partner for IVD raw materials, offering this A2M antibody alongside validated antigen pairs, bulk polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, and ancillary reagents to accelerate protease inhibitor assay development. From concept to clinic, CamelBio streamlines sourcing for diagnostic manufacturers and research labs, ensuring reliable supply of critical components for biomarker and therapeutic monitoring projects. Contact us to discuss your specific raw material needs in the protease/inflammation research area.