B2M
B2M (beta-2-microglobulin) is the light chain of the class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC), where it supports the presentation of peptide antigens to the immune system. It is also found as a secreted serum protein. Browse Assay Genie's current range of B2M research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
B2M is a component of the class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC). It is involved in the presentation of peptide antigens to the immune system. The NCBI Gene summary describes the protein as associating with the MHC class I heavy chain on the surface of nearly all nucleated cells, and as also circulating as a serum protein.
The B2M gene encodes a protein with a predominantly beta-pleated sheet structure. UniProt places it in the beta-2-microglobulin family, and HGNC classifies the gene in the C1-set domain containing group. UniProt records its subcellular locations as secreted and cell surface. The mouse and rat orthologues are both named B2m, which allows the protein to be studied in common rodent models.
Beyond antigen presentation, the encoded protein is described as an antimicrobial protein that displays antibacterial activity in amniotic fluid. Its beta-sheet structure can form amyloid fibrils in some pathological conditions. A mutation in the B2M gene has been shown to result in hypercatabolic hypoproteinemia.
B2M is also a target of pathogen interference. Exogenously applied M. tuberculosis EsxA, or EsxA-EsxB, binds B2M and decreases its export to the cell surface without changing total protein levels. This probably leads to defects in class I antigen presentation.
B2M is a component of MHC class I and is involved in presenting peptide antigens to the immune system.
M. tuberculosis EsxA binds B2M and reduces its export to the cell surface, probably impairing class I antigen presentation.
B2M has a predominantly beta-pleated sheet structure and can form amyloid fibrils in some pathological conditions.
The encoded protein displays antibacterial activity in amniotic fluid, linking B2M to antimicrobial protein biology.
B2M is a component of the class I major histocompatibility complex and is involved in presenting peptide antigens to the immune system. It associates with the MHC class I heavy chain on the surface of nearly all nucleated cells and is also found as a serum protein.
The approved HGNC symbol is B2M and the full name is beta-2-microglobulin. UniProt lists the protein as Beta-2-microglobulin, and no alternative aliases or previous symbols are recorded in the data used for this page.
A mutation in the B2M gene has been shown to result in hypercatabolic hypoproteinemia, and the protein can form amyloid fibrils in some pathological conditions. Mouse and rat both have an orthologue named B2m; check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other MHC class I components, antigen-processing proteins and immune markers studied alongside B2M.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P61769; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.