IGHA2

IGHA2 (Immunoglobulin Heavy Constant Alpha 2 (A2m Marker)) is a Protein Coding gene. Gene Ontology (GO) annotations related to this gene include antigen binding and immunoglobulin receptor binding. An important paralog of this gene is IGHA1.

Immunoglobulin heavy constant alpha 2

Constant region of immunoglobulin heavy chains. Immunoglobulins, also known as antibodies, are membrane-bound or secreted glycoproteins produced by B lymphocytes. In the recognition phase of humoral immunity, the membrane-bound immunoglobulins serve as receptors which, upon binding of a specific antigen, trigger the clonal expansion and differentiation of B lymphocytes into immunoglobulins-secreting plasma cells. Secreted immunoglobulins mediate the effector phase of humoral immunity, which results in the elimination of bound antigens (PubMed:22158414, PubMed:20176268).

The antigen binding site is formed by the variable domain of one heavy chain, together with that of its associated light chain. Thus, each immunoglobulin has two antigen binding sites with remarkable affinity for a particular antigen. The variable domains are assembled by a process called V-(D)-J rearrangement and can then be subjected to somatic hypermutations which, after exposure to antigen and selection, allow affinity maturation for a particular antigen (PubMed:17576170, PubMed:20176268).

Ig alpha is the major immunoglobulin class in body secretions (PubMed:2241915).

Antibacterial humoral response Source: UniProtKB
B cell receptor signaling pathway Source: GO_Central
Complement activation, classical pathway Source: GO_Central
Defense response to bacterium Source: GO_Central
Glomerular filtration Source: UniProtKB
Immune response Source: UniProtKB
Innate immune response Source: GO_Central
Phagocytosis, engulfment Source: GO_Central
Phagocytosis, recognition Source: GO_Central
Positive regulation of B cell activation Source: GO_Central
Positive regulation of respiratory burst Source: UniProtKB
Retina homeostasis Source: UniProtKB

Secreted; Cell membrane