Chemicals and Drugs

beta 2-Microglobulin

An 11-kDa protein associated with the outer membrane of many cells including LYMPHOCYTES. It is the small subunit of MHC CLASS I MOLECULES. 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, CEREBROSPINAL FLUID, and urine of healthy individuals, and to a much greater degree in the urine and plasma of patients with tubular PROTEINURIA, renal failure, or kidney transplants.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

An 11-kDa protein associated with the outer membrane of many cells including LYMPHOCYTES. It is the small subunit of MHC CLASS I MOLECULES. 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, CEREBROSPINAL FLUID, and urine of healthy individuals, and to a much greater degree in the urine and plasma of patients with tubular PROTEINURIA, renal failure, or kidney transplants.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

2 entry terms
  • Thymotaxin
  • beta 2 Microglobulin

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

30 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, agonists, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, deficiency, drug effects, economics, genetics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, physiology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, ultrastructure, urine.

MeSH Record

History Note

1991 (1975); use BETA 2 MICROGLOBULIN 1984-1990

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Beta Globulins (1973-1974)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. D09w.400w.430w.890w.489.100
  2. D12.776w.124w.790.223w.100
  3. D12.776w.377w.715.182w.100
  4. D12.776w.395w.550w.489.100
  5. D12.776w.543w.550w.439.100
  6. D23.050w.301.500.100.175
  7. D23.050w.705.552.100.175

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

WH 400

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. beta 2-Microglobulin. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D001613. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D001613
  2. beta 2-Microglobulin. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q24772271