Native Human PSA-ACT Complex

Native Human PSA-ACT Complex is a complex of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) and Alpha-1 Anti-Chymotrypsin (ACT). PSA, also known as Kallikrein-Related Peptidase 3 (KLK3) is a member of the kallikrein subfamily of serine proteases. It is present in seminal plasma and is thought to normally function in the liquefaction of seminal coagulum, presumably by hydrolysis of the high molecular mass seminal vesicle protein. In the prostate gland, PSA is localised in the cytoplasm of prostate acinar cells and ductal epithelium. Serum levels of PSA are useful in the diagnosis and monitoring of prostatic carcinoma. PSA exists in 3 major forms: free PSA, PSA-ACT (PSA bound to Alpha-1 Anti-chymotrypsin) and PSA-A2M (PSA bound to Alpha-2 Macroglobulin). Free-PSA has a molecular weight of 28 kDa whereas PSA-ACT has a molecular weight of 90 kDa (ACT has a molecular weight of 60-65 KDa). Serum concentration as a free to bound ratio correlates well with tumor mass and clinical stage of prostate cancer. High levels of free PSA can also be seen in serum from patients with benign hypertrophy. Measurement of free PSA and the PSA-ACT complex may improve the utility of the serum PSA assay for differential diagnosis of prostate cancer and non-malignant prostate diseases.

Store at -20C. Stable for 1 year. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.