Antibody News

Caspase-3 is one of the most important players in apoptosis signaling. It is synthesized as an inactive 32 kDa pro-enzyme and upon direct activation by Caspase-8, -9 or -10, it gets processed into its active forms, the p17-20 and p10-12 subunits. The latter are responsible for the cleavage of PARP (poly ADP-ribose polymerase), actin and SREBP, which are associated with apoptosis [1]. Because of its role in coordinating the destruction of cellular structures, Caspase 3 is often regarded as an executioner or effector caspase and considered as a marker in various immunoassays for apoptosis related experiments.

FSH R, or follicle-stimulating hormone receptor, is a transmembrane G-protein coupled receptor that is expressed in the ovaries, uterus, and testes. The ligand for this receptor, considered to be the central hormone of mammalian reproduction, is called follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) [1]. In females, FSH R is essential for proper ovarian development and follicle maturation. In males, it is required for normal spermatogenesis. Linkage analysis revealed that in females, a mutation in the extracellular ligand binding domain of FSH R segregated with a disease called hypergonadotrophic ovarian dysgenesis [2]. In males, with a mutation in the intracytoplasmatic loop that leads to ligand-independent constitutive FSH R activation, spermatogenesis is sustained in the absence of gonadotropins [3]. Based on these examples, it is...

Tyrosine hydroxylase is a member of the aromatic amino acid hydroxylase (AAAH) family.  It is expressed throughout the central nervous system (CNS) and catalyzes the conversion of tyrosine to L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), which can be, through a series of downstream enzymatic reactions, processed into the neurotransmitter and signaling molecule dopamine. Dopamine can then be further altered to produce norepinephrine or epinephrine. Tyrosine hydroxylase is the rate limiting enzyme in this pathway, also referred to as the catecholamine synthesis pathway. 

Antibodies that detect tyrosine hydroxylase are often used to identify dopaminergic neurons in the CNS.  In the mammalian retina, for instance, a subset of dopaminergic amacrine cells that form a single synaptic strata in the inner retina specifically express tyrosine hydroxylase and are often identified through tyrosine hydroxylase antibody staining (Wulle and...

Microtubules are a main component of the cytoskeleton and play essential roles in a variety of cellular processes. These highly dynamic tubular structures are assembled from alpha- and beta-tubulin dimers to form a complex structural network of microtubules throughout the cytoplasm. This network provides a substrate for intracellular trafficking of vesicles, organelles, and other cargo and can also facilitate cell migration. Additionally, during cell division, microtubules make up the mitotic spindle and provide the mechanical force for chromosome segregation. The diversity of microtubule functions is made possible by the large number of binding partners as well as regulation through post-translational modification. Microtubule associated proteins (MAPs), such as kinesin or dynein, can bind to tubulin and transport cargo while others alter microtubule stability. The tubulin family of proteins consists of many isoforms, each with specialized roles within the cell....

Conjugated antibodies are essential research tools for countless cell and molecular assays. While much of the time a researcher’s needs can be met with the wide variety of commercially available antibody conjugates, some applications may call for a unique reagent. For this reason some scientists opt for the flexibility of conjugating their own antibodies. While this approach may seem daunting, the availability of antibody labeling kits like the Novus Lightning-Link Kit have simplified the conjugation process and reduced the time needed to generate your own high quality antibody reagents. The Lightning-Link reagent kit allows you to efficiently label your antibody in just 30 seconds. Whether you are simply trying to save your lab a bit of money or synthesizing a unique reagent with no commercial alternatives, take into account the...

Diabetes is a disease that impacts over 29 million people in the US (1). It is metabolic disorder that is the result of a high level or sugar or glucose in the blood. The three types of diabetes are Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes, with Type 2 being the most common worldwide (2). The factors that contribute to a person getting Type 1 or Type 2 are largely unknown, but genetics, obesity and exercise have been linked to diabetes (3). Learn more about diabetes in our infographic below.

Novus Biologicals offers 3,700+ reagents for the research of diabetes.

Resources:

1. CDC/ 
2. Medical News Today
3. ...

Copper is an essential micronutrient that serves as a cofactor in numerous biological processes, but can be toxic when present in excess. Because of this, cells must tightly maintain copper levels. This includes balance between import and export of cellular copper. The major copper importer in humans is the high-affinity copper transporter SLC31A1 or CTR1. The localization of CTR1 varies between cell types, but is commonly found at the plasma membrane and intracellular vesicles [1-3].   

In addition to copper, CTR1 has the ability to transport platinum-containing drugs. One example is a chemotherapeutic drug called cisplatin that is used to treat a variety of cancers. Unfortunately, many types of cancer are resistant to platinum drugs, presenting a major obstacle for achieving maximum drug efficacy. In yeast, western blotting using a CTR1...

EEA1, or early endosome antigen 1, is a membrane bound Rab5 effector protein specific to the early endosome and plays an important role in membrane trafficking. Early endosomes fuse with endocytic vesicles to redistribute compounds to other cellular destinations. EEA1 contains a C-terminal FYVE domain that binds to phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate, which targets it to early endosomes [1, 2]. EEA1 is essential for early endosome docking together with SNARES contained on endocytic vesicles, allowing for membrane fusion [3].                                                           ...