IGHA2
IGHA2 (immunoglobulin heavy constant alpha 2) encodes the constant region of the alpha-2 immunoglobulin heavy chain, one of the heavy chains that define IgA antibodies. IgA is the major immunoglobulin class in body secretions, where it contributes to the effector phase of humoral immunity. Browse Assay Genie's current range of IGHA2 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
IGHA2 provides the constant region of immunoglobulin heavy chains. Immunoglobulins, also known as antibodies, are membrane-bound or secreted glycoproteins produced by B lymphocytes. In the recognition phase of humoral immunity, membrane-bound immunoglobulins act as receptors: on binding a specific antigen they trigger clonal expansion and differentiation of B lymphocytes into immunoglobulin-secreting plasma cells. Secreted immunoglobulins then mediate the effector phase, which results in the elimination of bound antigens.
The antigen binding site is formed by the variable domain of one heavy chain together with that of its associated light chain, so each immunoglobulin carries two antigen binding sites with high affinity for a particular antigen. Variable domains are assembled by V-(D)-J rearrangement and can then undergo somatic hypermutation, which, after exposure to antigen and selection, allows affinity maturation. The constant region encoded by the IGHA2 gene defines the alpha class of heavy chain; Ig alpha is the major immunoglobulin class in body secretions.
The IGHA2 protein is annotated as both secreted and present at the cell membrane, consistent with the dual membrane-bound and secreted forms of immunoglobulins. NCBI Gene summarises its contribution to immunoglobulin receptor binding activity and notes its involvement in glomerular filtration and positive regulation of respiratory burst. It is part of the monomeric IgA immunoglobulin complex and the secretory dimeric IgA immunoglobulin complex. The gene sits within the immunoglobulin heavy locus, and its HGNC name carries the A2m marker designation.
IGHA2 encodes an IgA heavy chain constant region, relevant to how secreted immunoglobulins mediate the effector phase of humoral immunity and antigen elimination.
Ig alpha is the major immunoglobulin class in body secretions, and IGHA2 is part of the secretory dimeric IgA complex.
Membrane-bound immunoglobulins act as antigen receptors that drive clonal expansion and differentiation of B lymphocytes into plasma cells.
The constant region pairs with variable domains shaped by V-(D)-J rearrangement and somatic hypermutation, underpinning studies of affinity maturation.
IGHA2 encodes the constant region of the alpha-2 immunoglobulin heavy chain. Combined with variable domains and light chains, it forms IgA antibodies that bind antigen and mediate its elimination. NCBI Gene lists it in monomeric IgA and secretory dimeric IgA complexes.
The HGNC full name is immunoglobulin heavy constant alpha 2 (A2m marker). The UniProt entry is named immunoglobulin heavy constant alpha 2. No other aliases or previous symbols are listed for this gene, which lies in the immunoglobulin heavy locus.
UniProt annotates the IGHA2 protein as both secreted and located at the cell membrane. This reflects immunoglobulins existing as membrane-bound antigen receptors on B lymphocytes and as secreted antibodies. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other immunoglobulin heavy chain constant regions and B cell markers with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P01877; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.