A recombinant human GAD2/GAD65 protein fragment (within amino acids 1-200) was used as the immunogen for the GAD2 antibody.
This mAb recognizes a protein of 65kDa, which is identified as glutamic acid decarboxylase 2 (GDA2). It is responsible for catalyzing the production of gamma-aminobutyric acid from L-glutamic acid. There are two forms of glutamic acid decarboxylases (GADs) that are found in the brain: GAD2 (also known as GAD65) and GAD1 (also known as GAD67). GAD1 and GAD2 are members of the group II decarboxylase family of proteins and are responsible for catalyzing the rate-limiting step in the production of GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid) from L-glutamic acid. Although both GAD s are found in the brain, GAD2 localizes to synaptic vesicle membranes in nerve terminals, while GAD1 is distributed throughout the cell. A pathogenic role for GAD2 is identified in the human pancreas since it has been identified as an autoantibody and an auto-reactive T cell target in insulin-dependent diabetes.
