Description
Product Characteristics:
Promotes endocytosis, possesses opsonic properties and influences the mineral phase of bone. Shows affinity for calcium and barium ions.
Subcellular location: Secreted
Synonyms: AHS, A2HS, HSGA, FETUA, Alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein, Alpha-2-Z-globulin, Ba-alpha-2-glycoprotein, Fetuin-A, AHSG, PRO2743
Target Information: Alpha2-HS glycoprotein (AHSG), a glycoprotein present in the serum, is synthesized by hepatocytes. The AHSG molecule consists of two polypeptide chains, which are both cleaved from a proprotein encoded from a single mRNA. It is involved in several functions, such as endocytosis, brain development and the formation of bone tissue. The protein is commonly present in the cortical plate of the immature cerebral cortex and bone marrow hemopoietic matrix, and it has therefore been postulated that it participates in the development of the tissues. However, its exact significance is still obscure. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]