Molecular Mass
Recombinant Human CD46 consists of 305 amino acids and has a predicted molecular mass of 34 kDa. As a result of glycosylation, the apparent molecular mass of rh CD46 is approximately 55-60 kDa in SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions.
Background
Acts as a cofactor for complement factor I, a serine protease which protects autologous cells against complement-mediated injury by cleaving C3b and C4b deposited on host tissue. May be involved in the fusion of the spermatozoa with the oocyte during fertilization. Also acts as a costimulatory factor for T-cells which induces the differentiation of CD4+ into T-regulatory 1 cells. T-regulatory 1 cells suppress immune responses by secreting interleukin-10, and therefore are thought to prevent autoimmunity.