Alpha-1-microglobulin
Encyclopedia
Alpha-1 microglobulin is a microglobulin
. Alpha-1-microglobulin is a ubiquitous tissue and plasma protein. It is synthesized in the liver, and is derived from the alpha-1-microglobulin/bikunin precursor. It binds and degrades heme
, is a radical scavenger and has reductase
properties.
It can be used as an indicator of proteinuria
. The test can be regarded as positive when the ratio of alpha-1 microglobulin (in milligram) and creatinine (in millimoles in the urine is over 0.7 mg/mmol.
Microglobulin
Microglobulin refers to a globulin of relatively small molecular weight. It can be contrasted to macroglobulin.,Examples include:* Beta-2 microglobulin* Alpha-1-microglobulin...
. Alpha-1-microglobulin is a ubiquitous tissue and plasma protein. It is synthesized in the liver, and is derived from the alpha-1-microglobulin/bikunin precursor. It binds and degrades heme
Heme
A heme or haem is a prosthetic group that consists of an iron atom contained in the center of a large heterocyclic organic ring called a porphyrin. Not all porphyrins contain iron, but a substantial fraction of porphyrin-containing metalloproteins have heme as their prosthetic group; these are...
, is a radical scavenger and has reductase
Reductase
-Examples:* 5-alpha reductase* Dihydrofolate reductase* HMG-CoA reductase* Methemoglobin reductase* Ribonucleotide reductase* Thioredoxin reductase* E. coli nitroreductase* Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase...
properties.
It can be used as an indicator of proteinuria
Proteinuria
Proteinuria means the presence of anexcess of serum proteins in the urine. The protein in the urine often causes the urine to become foamy, although foamy urine may also be caused by bilirubin in the urine , retrograde ejaculation, pneumaturia due to a fistula, or drugs such as pyridium.- Causes...
. The test can be regarded as positive when the ratio of alpha-1 microglobulin (in milligram) and creatinine (in millimoles in the urine is over 0.7 mg/mmol.