Anti-CD59 / Protectin Monoclonal Antibody (Clone:MEM-43)

CD59 (Protectin) is a small (18-20 kDa) GPI-anchored ubiquitously expressed inhibitor of the membrane attack complex (MAC). It is thus the key regulator that preserves the autologous cells from terminal effector mechanism of the complement cascade. CD59 associates with C5b-8 complex and thereby counteracts appropriate formation of cytolytic pore within the plasma membrane. CD59 is also an low-affinity ligand of human CD2 and causes T cell costimulation. Protein function: Potent inhibitor of the complement membrane attack complex (MAC) action. Acts by binding to the C8 and/or C9 complements of the assembling MAC, thereby preventing incorporation of the multiple copies of C9 required for complete formation of the osmolytic pore. This inhibitor appears to be species-specific. Involved in signal transduction for T-cell activation complexed to a protein tyrosine kinase. [The UniProt Consortium]