CD46 (D6N7H) Rabbit Monoclonal Antibody #13241

Complement Regulatory Protein; Membrane Cofactor Protein (CD46) is a type 1 membrane protein that plays an important inhibitory role in the complement system (1). CD46 exhibits a cofactor activity that promotes inactivation of C3b and C4b by serum factor 1, thereby protecting host (self) cells from complement-dependent cytotoxicity (1,2). The importance of CD46 to complement regulation is underscored by the observation that genetic loss of CD46 leads to development of atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome (aHUS), a disease characterized by uncontrolled complement activation (2,3). In addition to its role in complement inactivation, CD46 can function as a receptor for selected bacteria and viruses (4), and is reportedly required for proper fusion of spermatozoa to the oocyte membrane during fertilization (5). CD46 is implicated in the development and/or progression of selected cancer types. For example, research studies show elevated CD46 expression in medulloblastoma tumor samples (6), while CD46 expression has been linked with poor prognosis in breast cancer (7). It has been suggested that upregulation of CD46 may serve to protect cancer cells from complement-dependent cytotoxicity, thereby evading destruction by the immune system (8,9).