Anti-Antiplasmin, alpha2

alpha2-Antiplasmin (a2AP), also known as alpha2-Plasmin Inhibitor (a2PI), is a member of the SERPIN family of proteinase inhibitors and the primary inhibitor of the enzyme plasmin in blood. It is produced in the liver and circulates in plasma at ~70ug/ml (~1uM). a2AP is a single chain molecule with a mass of 67kD as determined by SDS-PAGE. The primary target enzyme for a2AP is plasmin, but a2AP also acts as secondary or "backup" inhibitor of activated F.XI, activated Protein C and trypsin. Inhibition of these enzymes by a2AP occurs by proteolytic cleavage after Arg364 with subsequent rapid formation of a stable, inactive 1:1 enzyme-a2AP complex. a2AP also acts to regulate fibrinolysis by binding to the lysine binding sites on plasminogen thus competitively inhibiting plasminogen binding to fibrin. About 30% of a2AP present in plasma is partially degraded and lacks a peptide in the carboxyl region that contains the plasminogen-binding site. This form of a2AP (~65kD) has a reduced rate of plasmin inhibition and has been referred to as the "slow form" of a2AP. During fibrin formation, a portion of circulating a2AP is cross-linked to the alpha-chain of fibrin by activated factor XIII, and this linking of plasmin inhibitor to the plasmin substrate provides an additional measure of protection to the fibrin clot from proteolysis by plasmin. Applications: Suitable for use in Immunoelectrophoresis and ELISA. Other applications not tested. Recommended Dilutions: Optimal dilutions to be determined by the researcher. Storage and Stability: May be stored at 4°C for short-term only. Aliquot to avoid repeated freezing and thawing. Store at -20°C. Aliquots are stable for 12 months after receipt. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap.