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Updated: Jun 23, 2025

Characterization of Glycoproteins with the Immunoglobulin Fold by X-Ray Crystallography and Biophysical Techniques
Published on: July 5, 2018
Domain 5 of Beta 2 glycoprotein I: Friend or foe in health? Context matters
Bill Giannakopoulos1, Steven A Krilis2
1Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, St George and Sutherland Campus, Level 2, Pitney Building, Kogarah, Sydney, NSW 2217, Australia; Department of Rheumatology, St George Public Hospital, Kogarah, Sydney, 2217, Australia.
Abstract:
Beta 2 glycoprotein I (β2GPI) is the major autoantigen in the antiphospholipid syndrome, an autoimmune disorder characterized by thrombotic and obstetric complications. The autoantibodies that target beta 2 glycoprotein I are pathogenic and contribute to disease pathogenesis. The β2GPI molecule is composed of 5 domains that are numbered 1 through to 5. Autoantibodies bind mainly to domain 1 whereas the majority of the biological functions of the β2GPI molecule in diverse processes such as apoptotic cell clearance, complement regulation, lipopolysaccharide clearance and anticoagulation have been localised to domain 5 and its unique biochemistry, reviewed in this article. The role of purified domain 5 peptide as a potential therapeutic agent in APS and ischemia reperfusion injury is discussed.
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