What is Transglutaminase 2 (tTg) and Why Does the Food Zoomer Test for It?

Calcium-dependent protein crosslinker

Transglutaminase 2 (tTg) is an enzyme that modifies and cross-links proteins in tissues, including the gut lining. Immune recognition of tTg or tTg-modified peptides can produce IgA and IgG signals that reflect mucosal or systemic immune activity. Measuring tTg-related immune responses helps reveal patterns of food-associated immune engagement within the Food Zoomer panel.

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Transglutaminase 2 (tTg)

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About Transglutaminase 2 (tTg)

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About Transglutaminase 2 (tTg)

Overview and History

Transglutaminase 2 (tTg) is a member of the transglutaminase enzyme family (gene symbol TGM2). It is a calcium-dependent enzyme found inside cells and in the extracellular matrix that catalyzes protein cross-linking and post-translational modification, affecting tissue structure, cell adhesion, and wound repair. Since its characterization, tTg has been studied for its role in modifying dietary peptides and interacting with the immune system. Because it can change how certain food-derived peptides are presented to immune cells, tTg has been a focus in gut mucosal research and studies of immune reactivity to food proteins.

Interpreting Highs and Lows

Elevated immune responses to tTg (measured as IgA or IgG reactivity) may indicate increased immune targeting of the enzyme or tTg-modified peptides, and can reflect heightened mucosal activity or broader systemic immune engagement. Low or absent reactivity generally indicates little to no measurable immune targeting of tTg. Interpretation is most reliable when considered alongside the Food Zoomer’s full IgA/IgG profile, peptide-specific results, and clinical context, since isolated results do not capture the full pattern of immune behavior.

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tTg is included in Food Zoomer to assess immune recognition of a key tissue enzyme that interacts with dietary peptides. Paired with IgA and IgG measures and peptide-level data, tTg signals help providers distinguish mucosal versus systemic response patterns and refine personalized dietary and testing strategies.

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Transglutaminase 2 (tTg) FAQs

What is Transglutaminase 2 (tTg) and why is it important?

tTg is an enzyme that links and modifies proteins in tissues, especially in the gut lining. When the immune system recognizes tTg or peptides it has modified, that reaction shows up as IgA or IgG signals. Those signals can help reveal whether food-related immune activity is focused at the gut surface or involves broader immune responses.

What does it mean if my Transglutaminase 2 (tTg) levels are low?

Low or absent tTg reactivity usually means there’s little measurable immune targeting of the enzyme or tTg-modified peptides. In that context, other markers in the Food Zoomer (IgA/IgG to specific proteins or peptides) help explain overall immune patterns. Both low and high signals should be interpreted together with the full panel and clinical history.

What does it mean if my Transglutaminase 2 (tTg) levels are high?

Higher tTg reactivity can reflect increased immune recognition of the enzyme or peptides it modifies, suggesting more active mucosal or systemic immune engagement. Elevated signals are an association that may point to patterns worth exploring further with peptide-specific and isotype data. Clinical context and the broader Food Zoomer profile are required for accurate interpretation.

Why is tTg measured as part of the Food Zoomer?

Measuring tTg helps identify immune responses tied to a tissue enzyme that can modify dietary peptides. Combined with dual IgA/IgG and peptide-level data, tTg results help providers map where immune activity is occurring and build more targeted, personalized nutrition and testing strategies.

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