Invitrogen™ Human Factor XIIIa Native Protein

Description

RP-43123 contains native human Factor XIIIa protein. RP-43123 may be used as a positive control in many immunological assays. The product is of human blood/plasma origin. Although the starting material was tested prior to initiation of the manufacturing process, and was found negative or nonreactive for anti-HIV-1/2, HIV-1 antigen(s), HBsAg, STS, anti-HCV, anti-HBcore and anti-HTLV I & II, extreme caution should be used when handling this material as there is a margin of error in all tests. This product is to be used for IN VITRO research purposes only, and is not intended for clinical or diagnostic use!

This gene encodes the coagulation factor XIII A subunit. Coagulation factor XIII is the last zymogen to become activated in the blood coagulation cascade. Plasma factor XIII is a heterotetramer composed of 2 A subunits and 2 B subunits. The A subunits have catalytic function, and the B subunits do not have enzymatic activity and may serve as plasma carrier molecules. Platelet factor XIII is comprised only of 2 A subunits, which are identical to those of plasma origin. Upon cleavage of the activation peptide by thrombin and in the presence of calcium ion, the plasma factor XIII dissociates its B subunits and yields the same active enzyme, factor XIIIa, as platelet factor XIII. This enzyme acts as a transglutaminase to catalyze the formation of gamma-glutamyl-epsilon-lysine crosslinking between fibrin molecules, thus stabilizing the fibrin clot. It also crosslinks alpha-2-plasmin inhibitor, or fibronectin, to the alpha chains of fibrin. Factor XIII deficiency is classified into two categories: type I deficiency, characterized by the lack of both the A and B subunits; and type II deficiency, characterized by the lack of the A subunit alone. These defects can result in a lifelong bleeding tendency, defective wound healing, and habitual abortion.