CD Antigens
Product List
CD46 Human
CD46 Human Recombinant
CD46 Human, Sf9
CD46 Human Recombinant, Sf9
CD46 is fused to 6 amino acid His-Tag at C-terminus and purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.
Introduction
CD46, also known as Membrane Cofactor Protein (MCP), is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein that plays a crucial role in the regulation of the complement system. It is encoded by the CD46 gene located on chromosome 1q32 . CD46 is classified as a complement regulatory protein and is part of the cluster of differentiation (CD) molecules .
Key Biological Properties: CD46 is a regulatory protein that protects host cells from complement-mediated damage by serving as a cofactor for the inactivation of complement components C3b and C4b by factor I .
Expression Patterns: CD46 is ubiquitously expressed on all nucleated cells .
Tissue Distribution: It is found in various tissues, including the placenta, prostate epithelium, and other normal tissues .
Primary Biological Functions: CD46 functions primarily as a complement regulatory protein, preventing complement deposition on host tissues . It also plays a role in the fusion of spermatozoa with the oocyte during fertilization .
Role in Immune Responses: CD46 modulates both innate and adaptive immune responses. It regulates the production of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) within T helper type 1 (Th1) cells, thus influencing the balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses .
Pathogen Recognition: CD46 acts as a receptor for various pathogens, including the Edmonston strain of measles virus, human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6), group B adenoviruses, and type IV pili of pathogenic Neisseria .
Mechanisms with Other Molecules and Cells: CD46 interacts with complement proteins C3b and C4b, serving as a cofactor for their cleavage by factor I . It also interacts with various pathogens, facilitating their entry into host cells .
Binding Partners: CD46 binds to complement components C3b and C4b, as well as to various pathogens .
Downstream Signaling Cascades: CD46-mediated signaling regulates autophagy during pathogen invasion, macrophage activity, and T cell activation .
Regulatory Mechanisms: The expression and activity of CD46 are regulated at multiple levels, including transcriptional regulation and post-translational modifications .
Transcriptional Regulation: The CD46 gene is regulated by various transcription factors that control its expression in different tissues .
Post-Translational Modifications: CD46 undergoes various post-translational modifications, including glycosylation, which are essential for its proper function and localization .
Biomedical Research: CD46 is widely studied in the context of immune regulation and pathogen interactions .
Diagnostic Tools: CD46 expression levels can serve as biomarkers for certain diseases, including atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) and other complement-mediated disorders .
Therapeutic Strategies: Targeting CD46 has potential therapeutic applications in treating cancers, such as metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), by using antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) that selectively kill cancer cells expressing CD46 .
Development: CD46 plays a role in the fusion of spermatozoa with the oocyte during fertilization .
Aging and Disease: CD46 expression and function are implicated in various diseases, including autoimmune diseases and cancers . Its role in regulating immune responses makes it a critical factor in maintaining immune homeostasis throughout life .
