Blogs for December 2010: Novus Biologicals

New MECP2 Study Suggests Important Link to GABA

Thursday, December 30, 2010 - 07:58

MECP2 antibodies are used in DNA methylation studies as well as research into Rett syndrome, a progressive neurological disorder caused by a mutation in the MECP2 gene. Now, a new study has been published by the laboratory where the Rett Syndrome gene was discovered, citing MECP2 as a critical factor in a number of other neurological conditions by its interaction with GABA. We at Novus Biologicals have an extensive neuroscience antibody catalog which includes MECP2 antibodies.

MeCP2 is a complex member of the MBD family of proteins, related by the presence of a methyl- CpG domain and the ability to bind specifically to methylated DNA. It is found in large concentrations in neurons, where it functions as a transcriptional repressor, silencing transcription by binding to methylated promoters; however antibodystudies have suggested it...

Bitter Taste Receptor Antibodies Used in New Bronchodilator Study

Thursday, December 23, 2010 - 07:55

As one of the world's leading antibody suppliers, Novus Biologicals has an expansive GPCR (G-protein coupled receptor) antibody catalog. Novus antibodies to the bitter taste receptor (TAS2R) have recently been used in a study on TAS2R bronchodilator activity in human airways.

The G-protein Gustducin plays an important role in the transduction of gustatory (taste) stimuli, especially with respect to bitter stimuli. TAS2R is linked to Gustducin and is thought to play a role in bitter taste detection. Antibody studies suggest it may mediate alpha gustducin expression and PLC-beta-2 activation, and be involved in TRPM5 gating.

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Getting SHIP-shape Over Tumour Suppression

Thursday, December 16, 2010 - 07:53

PTEN antibodies have shown PTEN to be an important tumor suppressor and, in mutated form, a factor in cancer development. However, a recent study, led by Robert Rickert, shows that the SHIP gene may also be an important tumor suppressor in B-cell lymphomas. We at Novus Biologicals have an extensive range of PTEN and SHIP antibodies in our antibody catalog.

SHIP (SH2-containing inositol phosphatase) and PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homologue) antibodies are closely aligned, as both proteins have a similar function. PTEN is a lipid phosphatase which dephosphorylates phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3), forming phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2.) SHIP is a haemopoietic-specific phosphatase which also hydrolyzes PIP3, but at a different position, producing phosphatidylinositol-3, 4-bisphosphate, or PI(3...

PTEN Antibodies and Cancer Research

Thursday, December 9, 2010 - 07:50

Phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) antibodies are important tools for cancer research. PTEN is an important tumor suppressor but, in mutated form, is also expressed in a high number of cancers. We at Novus Biologicals have a wide PTEN antibody database, with 50 antibodies, proteins and lysates to choose from.

PTEN encodes a lipid phosphotase protein (a phosphatidylinositol-3, 4, 5-trisphosphate 3-phosphatase) which is involved in cell cycle regulation, controlling cell growth and proliferation. This also allows it to act as a tumor suppressor. The protein has a similar structure to the protein tyrosine phosphatases, a group of dual-specificity enzymes which regulate phosphorylation of cell-signalling cascades. However, it differs in showing preferential dephosphorylation, negatively regulating phosphatidylinositol-3, 4, 5-trisphosphate (PIP3) by...

"Freeze!" - Arrestin Antibodies Used in New Serotonin Syndrome Study

Tuesday, December 7, 2010 - 07:47

The beta-arrestin family regulate receptor binding of G-proteins, a group of seven transmembrane receptor proteins which includes the adrenergic, dopamine and serotonin receptors. Recently, arrestin antibodies were used in a study into Serotonin Syndrome, a hallucinogenic disorder which can follow SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) use.

The beta-arrestin family are found at postsynaptic receptor sites, where they interact with GRK2 and GRK3 proteins to desensitize G-protein-coupled receptors, dampening the cellular response to stimuli such as hormones, neurotransmitters and sensory signals. For example, S-Arrestin/...