A2M (alpha-2-macroglobulin)

Abstract

Alpha-2-Macroglobulin (A2M) was first recognized as a broad-spectrum protease inhibitor and is a pan-proteinase inhibitor that can mechanistically inhibit all proteinase families. It plays an important role in the clearance of proteinases from circulation, regulation of fibrinolysis, coagulation and complement activation. A2M is also known to act as a transport/carrier protein. In general, A2M is produced by the liver as an acute-phase protein during stress conditions and then secreted into the blood and extracellular environments where it functions. It is also locally produced by macrophages, fibroblasts, and epithelial cells. A2M gene mutations play a role in the pathogenesis of diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, parkinson's disease, and prostate cancer.