MARCO
MARCO (macrophage receptor with collagenous structure) is a class A scavenger receptor and pattern recognition receptor of the innate immune system. Also known as SCARA2 and SR-A6, it binds Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria at the cell surface. Browse Assay Genie's current range of MARCO research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
MARCO is a pattern recognition receptor (PRR) that binds both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. It also contributes to the binding of unopsonised particles by alveolar macrophages, placing it among the receptors that recognise targets directly, without opsonins. It binds the secretoglobin SCGB3A2. As a member of the class A scavenger receptor family, it forms part of the innate antimicrobial immune system.
The MARCO gene encodes a cell membrane protein with a distinctive domain layout. It has short cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains, an extracellular spacer domain and a long extracellular collagenous domain. An extracellular, C-terminal scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) domain is thought to mediate bacterial binding. The collagenous domains of three identical polypeptide chains may associate to form a trimeric molecule. The mouse ortholog is Marco.
HGNC classifies MARCO within the scavenger receptors and the scavenger receptor cysteine rich domain containing gene groups. The name describes its macrophage expression and its collagen-like structure. Alternative designations are SCARA2 and SR-A6, which reflect its place in the class A scavenger receptor nomenclature. Researchers studying the MARCO protein often use it as a model for how macrophages recognise microbial surfaces and particles through scavenger receptors.
MARCO is a pattern recognition receptor and part of the innate antimicrobial immune system, so it is a focus for studies of first-line host defence.
MARCO binds Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, making it relevant to work on how macrophages detect microbial surfaces.
MARCO contributes to binding of unopsonised particles by alveolar macrophages, supporting research on particle recognition in the lung.
The SRCR and collagenous domains, and trimer formation, make MARCO a useful subject for structure-function studies of class A scavenger receptors.
MARCO is a pattern recognition receptor on the cell membrane that binds Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. It also takes part in the binding of unopsonised particles by alveolar macrophages and binds the secretoglobin SCGB3A2. It belongs to the innate antimicrobial immune system.
The HGNC name is macrophage receptor with collagenous structure, and UniProt lists the protein as macrophage receptor MARCO. Aliases include SCARA2 and SR-A6, reflecting its classification as a class A scavenger receptor.
A mouse ortholog, Marco, is recorded for the human gene. Cross-species use depends on the reagent, so check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other scavenger receptors, pattern recognition receptors and innate immunity targets with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q9UEW3; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.