| umls-concept:C0005149 | skos:definition | MSH: An 11-kDa protein associated with the outer membrane of many cells including lymphocytes. It is the small subunit of the MHC class I molecule. Association with beta 2-microglobulin is generally required for the transport of class I heavy chains from the endoplasmic reticulum to the cell surface. Beta 2-microglobulin is present in small amounts in serum, csf, and urine of normal people, and to a much greater degree in the urine and plasma of patients with tubular proteinemia, renal failure, or kidney transplants.,NCI: Beta-2-microglobulin protein (119 aa, ~14 kDa) is encoded by the human B2M gene. This protein plays a role in immune responses and is a key component of major histocompatibility complex class I molecules. The protein is localized to the surface of cells and is utilized as a prognostic marker in persons with cancers that involve white blood cells. The polypeptide is also used as a marker in kidney damage diagnosis and in the detection of viral infection.,NCI: A small protein normally found on | lld:umls |
