Anti-beta 2 Microglobulin antibody [3F9-2C2]

Supplementary information

This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.

Biological function summary

Beta-2-microglobulin is important for the stability and transport of MHC class I molecules to the cell surface. As part of the MHC class I complex B2M assists in binding peptides allowing immune cells to identify and target pathogen-infected cells. Without B2M the MHC class I molecules are not properly expressed on the cell surface disrupting immune recognition. In laboratory settings researchers often use anti-beta-2-microglobulin antibodies to investigate its role in MHC class I function.

Pathways

Beta-2-microglobulin interacts significantly with the immune system most notably in the antigen processing and presentation pathway. It works alongside proteins such as the heavy chain of MHC class I. B2M is important in the pathway that involves the transport of antigens to the endoplasmic reticulum where they are loaded onto MHC class I molecules for inspection by cytotoxic T cells. Another related pathway is the tapasin-mediated processing of antigen peptides highlighting the indispensable role of B2M in immune response regulation.