CD46 Antibodies

Background

CD46 is a transmembrane glycoprotein widely expressed on the surface of human nucleated cells, and its structure includes an extracellular region rich in serine/threonine and a short cytoplasmic tail region. This protein, as a complement regulatory protein, protects host cells from damage caused by excessive activation of the complement system by mediating the degradation of C3b/C4b. In the immune system, CD46 is also involved in the synergistic stimulation process of T cell activation and can regulate the transformation of immune responses from Th1 to Th2 types. This gene was simultaneously identified by multiple research teams in 1986 and is the first human membrane protein discovered to have complement regulation function. The analysis of its crystal structure provides a key basis for understanding the complement inhibition mechanism. Continuous research on CD46 not only reveals its significant role in autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases and reproductive physiology, but also promotes the development of related targeted drugs.

Structure Function Application Advantage Our Products

Structure of CD46

CD46 is a transmembrane glycoprotein with a molecular weight of approximately 56-65 kDa, and its differences mainly stem from tissue-specific glycosylation modifications.

Species	Human	Mouse	Rhesus monkey	Pig
Molecular Weight (kDa)	56-65	55-60	58-63	57-62
Primary Structural Differences	Multiple splicing variants exist, and the extracellular region consists of SCR domains	High homology with human, but different glycosylation pattern	Similar to highly human CD46 function and structure	Often used in the study of xenotransplantation model

The extracellular region of this protein is composed of four short shared repeat sequences (SCRS), and its tertiary structure forms an extended rod-like shape. The molecular structure of CD46 contains a region rich in serine/threonine/proline, which mediates extensive O-glycosylation modifications, thereby influencing its interaction with complement ligands. Behind the transmembrane anchoring region is an intracellular tail, which contains tyrosine residues that are involved in intracellular signal transduction and regulate key immune response processes.

Fig. 1 CD46 protein structure and cytoplasmic domain detail.¹

Key structural properties of CD46:

Extracellular region structure consisting of four short common repeat (SCR) units
Regions rich in serine/threonine mediate intensive glycosylation modifications
Across the membrane anchoring area involved in signal transduction process together with the intracellular tail

Functions of CD46

The main function of CD46 is to protect host cells from attacks by the complement system and participate in immune regulation. In addition, it also involves processes such as reproductive physiology and pathogen infection.

Function	Description
Complement regulation	By degrading C3b and C4b, it prevents excessive activation of complement and protects its own cells from being dissolved.
Immune regulation	Coordinated stimulus involved in T cell activation and can induce an immune response to the Th2 type conversion.
Pathogen receptor	As a cell surface receptor for various pathogens such as the measles virus and human herpesvirus.
Reproductive participation	Expressed in sperm cells, and to participate in the immune to avoid in the process of fertilization.
Regulation of autophagy in cells	Through the intracellular domain, it is involved in the regulation of autophagy and affects the stability of the intracellular environment.

The binding of CD46 to the complement component C3b exhibits a high affinity characteristic. Its mechanism of action is different from the decay acceleration activity of CD55, a protein of the same family, highlighting its core regulatory position in the complement bypass pathway.

Applications of CD46 and CD46 Antibody in Literature

1. Liszewski, M. Kathryn, and John P. Atkinson. "The multiverse of CD46 and oncologic interactions." The Journal of Clinical Investigation 135.9 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI188355

The article indicates that CD46 is a widely expressed protein that not only serves as a pathogen receptor but also participates in immune regulation and the intracellular complement system. Research has found that its high expression is closely related to the malignant progression of cancer and has now become a new strategy for targeted therapy, including viral vectors and antibody-drug conjugates.

2. Aitkenhead, Hazel, David I. Stuart, and Kamel El Omari. "Structure of bovine CD46 ectodomain." Viruses 15.7 (2023): 1424. https://doi.org/10.3390/v15071424

The article indicates that CD46 is a multifunctional protein that, in addition to regulating immune complement, is also involved in processes such as T cell activation. Its high expression is closely related to the deterioration and metastasis of cancer and has now become a new strategy for targeted cancer therapy such as viral vectors and antibody drugs.

3. Serrano-Rísquez, Carmen, et al. "CD46 genetic variability and HIV-1 infection susceptibility." Cells 10.11 (2021): 3094. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10113094

The article indicates that variations in the CD46 gene affect the susceptibility to HIV-1. Research has found that the CC genotype at the rs2796265 locus is associated with a reduced risk of HIV infection through injection or sexual transmission. The mechanism may be related to a decrease in CD46 expression and an alteration in the proportion of its splicing isomers.

4. Wu, Eugene Y., et al. "CD46 Is a Protein Receptor for Human Adenovirus Type 64." Viruses 16.12 (2024): 1827. https://doi.org/10.3390/v16121827

Studies have shown that human adenovirus HAdV-D64, similar to HAdV-D37, also uses CD46 and sialic acid as receptors to infect cells. Blocking its binding to CD46 can effectively inhibit the entry of the virus, which provides a new idea for gene therapy and the prevention of viral eye diseases.

5. Liszewski, M. Kathryn, and John P. Atkinson. "Complement regulator CD46: genetic variants and disease associations." Human genomics 9.1 (2015): 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40246-015-0029-z

Studies have shown that CD46 is a widely expressed complement regulatory protein that can protect host cells. Its gene mutations are mainly associated with various diseases such as atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. This article reviews the research on disease-related mutations of this complement inhibitor.

Creative Biolabs: CD46 Antibodies for Research

Creative Biolabs specializes in the production of high-quality CD46 antibodies for research and industrial applications. Our portfolio includes monoclonal antibodies tailored for ELISA, Flow Cytometry, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and other diagnostic methodologies.

Custom CD46 Antibody Development: Tailor-made solutions to meet specific research requirements.
Bulk Production: Large-scale antibody manufacturing for industry partners.
Technical Support: Expert consultation for protocol optimization and troubleshooting.
Aliquoting Services: Conveniently sized aliquots for long-term storage and consistent experimental outcomes.

For more details on our CD46 antibodies, custom preparations, or technical support, contact us at email.

Reference

Liszewski, M. Kathryn, and John P. Atkinson. "The multiverse of CD46 and oncologic interactions." The Journal of Clinical Investigation 135.9 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI188355