Novus Biologicals | Antibody News

We at Novus Biologicals recently added PMP22, conjugated to Biotin, to our antibody database. PMP22 (Peripheral Myelin Protein 22) is important to the structure of the myelin sheath in peripheral nerves, and is encoded by the PMP22 gene.

The PMP22 gene is co-expressed with MBP (myelin basic protein) genes during regeneration and development of peripheral nerves. PMP22 is expressed throughout the compact myelin component of the peripheral nervous system, being produced by Schwann cells (which also produce the closely studied Po glycoprotein). Mutations and modifications to gene levels cause various hereditary demyelinating conditions, including Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, Dejerine-Sottas syndrome and HNPP (Hereditary Neuropathy with liability to Pressure Palsies). A duplicate PMP22 gene will cause CMT disease, while a deleted copy causes HNPP.

Antibody suppliers provide PMP22 antibodies for studies into neuropathological diseases and neuronal function. They are widely used as neuronal markers and have been used to research possible therapies for the repair of myelin sheath damage in humans. This includes the possible use of antibody therapy, which has shown promising results in mice.

A study by Melcangi et al suggested that neuroactive steroids could be used to regenerate demyelinated tissue. The PNS contains receptors for a range of steroids, both classical (e.g. progesterone) and non-classical (e.g. GABA). Melcangi’s study showed that that a number of neuroactive steroids stimulated Schwann cell production of PMP22 and Po both in vitro and in vivo. The steroids included dihydroprogesterone, tetrahydroprogesterone, dihydrotestosterone, 3 alpha-diol and progesterone.

We at Novus Biologicals have a large number of steroid receptor products in our antibody catalogue. The use of steroids to stimulate myelin protein activity continues to be of great interest.

A large number of antibody suppliers supply conjugated and non-conjugated marker antibodies, targeted at specific stem cell populations. Until recently the number of oval stem cell markers was extremely limited. However, we at Novus Biologicals have succeeded in developing a new line of monoclonal antibodies specifically targeted to the murine oval cell response. These have just been added to our stem cell antibody database.

Oval stem cells are progenitors that play a major role in regenerating diseased or injured hepatic tissue. They can be stimulated into production by using a 2-AAF (2-acetylaminofluorene) /hepatic injury protocol – a combination of chemical damage and partial removal of the liver. They were first identified in rat studies, where chemical and hepatic injury techniques resulted in the activation of previously-unseen oval cells, which facilitated cell renewal. Numerous other studies followed, leading researchers to the conclusion that oval cells are bipotential i.e. capable of differentiating into either epithelial or ductal hepatic cells.

To identify and isolate the cells that are produced during the oval cell progenitor response, specific antibodies need to be raised against appropriate markers. The marker that is widely used for other stem cells, Thy-1 (CD90), is not present in adult hepatic cells, although it is seen in foetal liver tissue – including that of human foetuses.

Our oval cell marker antibodies are targeted to ductal and periductal hepatic cells. They are derived from MIC1-1C3 clones and several OC2 clones, raised against murine hepatic cells undergoing oval cell activation. These antibodies react to specific cell surface antigens, allowing subpopulations to be identified using fluorescence activated cell sorting techniques (FACS). They have considerably enhanced the scope of our antibody catalogue.

We at Novus Biologicals are constantly updating our antibody catalogue in order to provide as comprehensive a database as possible for molecular biology researchers. Not all our antibodies are derived from proteins found in mammalian or human tissue. Some are derived from single-celled or non-eucaryotic organisms which produce harmful effects when introduced to humans or animals.

This is the case with aflatoxin antibodies. Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring fungal toxin produced by the Aspergillus moulds A. flavus and A. parasiticus. At least 13 aflatoxins are known to exist in nature, with aflatoxin B1being the most toxic to humans. Unfortunately, the A. flavus spores which produce the toxin are widely found in human habitats, commonly where grain is grown under poor conditions such as drought.

Aflatoxin B1 antibody is of interest to cancer research groups, as it is thought to be a cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to those exposed to the toxin in, for example, agricultural and grain processing environments. This risk is increased where changes in hepatic DNA occur. In November 2009, Long et al reported that polymorphisms in the XPD (xeroderma pigmentosum) gene could influence the DNA repair following exposure to AFB1 (aflatoxin B1), thus increasing the risk of hepatocellular tumours. The study focussed on the 312 and 751 XPD codons, which are commonly associated with nucleotide excision repair.

In the experiment, case-control studies, using TaqMan-PCR and and PCR-RFLP antibody analysis, were conducted on the Guangxi population of China. HCC and control patients were used. It was discovered that the HCC risk was raised in those subjects exhibiting the relevant XPD genotype at codon 751. Codon 312 alleles had no effect.

We at Novus Biologicals are one of the leading antibody suppliers for diabetes research. An aging population, and the increasing incidence of type 2 diabetes, makes it an area of increasing interest – especially as there is often a close link to cancer.

Metabolic studies and diabetes research go hand-in-hand. The glyoxylase system is part of this, removing metabolic by-products that would otherwise be toxic to the cell, and as such features highly on our antibody database.

The glyoxylase enzymes are responsible for deactivating reactive oxoaldehydes, such as MGO (methylglyoxal). MGO is a normal by-product of metabolism, and is formed in several ways e.g. by spontaneous formation from dihydroxyacetone phosphate, and by enzyme action on triosephosphate isomerase. At low concentrations MGO is cytostatic (i.e. a suppressor of cellular growth and reproduction). However, at millimolar concentrations it becomes highly cytotoxic. It is known to be a carcinogen and mutogen, and is damaging to intracellular components such as proteins and nucleic acids.

GLO1 is the first enzyme in the glyoxylase system, and critical to MGO detoxification. A member of the metalloglutathione (GSH) transferase superfamily, it catalyses the conversion of MGO (in the form of diastereomeric GSH- hemithioacetal adducts) to non-toxic S-lactoyl-glutathione, via a 1, 2 hydrogen transfer involving the reduction of glutathione. It is then further calalysed and recycled into the metabolic system.

GLO1 is widely studied in diabetes research. It is thought that inactivation of GLO1 is a cause of vascular complications in patients with diabetes. GLO1 antibodies are also used in oncology, as GLO1 has been shown to be upregulated in certain cancer cells.