Antibodies

We at Novus Biologicals have a huge range of monoclonal and polyclonal immunoglobulins on our antibody database, and are constantly developing more. Immunoglobulins comprise a number of different classes, and it’s important you select the right one for your needs. Here, we give a brief run-down of antibody classification.

Since DNA-damage can lead to the development of tumours, these antibodies are widely used in cancer studies. Cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs), which interact with regulatory cyclins, are essential to the progression of the cell cycle. However, tumours can develop if CDK/cyclin disruption leads to unregulated cell reproduction. Therefore these two proteins are carefully regulated.

The Novus antibody lab has been very busy over the past two weeks. Not only has Novus marketed four new antibodies this past week, but the laboratory technicians have purified numerous antibodies, tested new antibody lots in Western blot as a part of Novus' stringent QC analysis process, as well as custom conjugating various antibodies.

IgG is the most prevalent antibody in mammalian tissue, and therefore a major number of the proteins on an antibody database are of this type. The other classes that are studied are IgA, IgM, IgD and IgE. Depending on the tissue and disease being studied, polyclonal and monoclonal versions of all these antibodies are also produced against specific antigens.

Tumour Necrosis Factor Receptor 2 (TNFR2) exists as both a cytoplasmic and transmembrane glycoprotein. Together with TNFR1, it has been shown to stimulate T lymphocyte activity via TNFα action. The TNF signalling pathways are complex, and mutation or disruption of the proteins at any stage can cause oncogenesis. Therefore TNF-related antibodies are widely used in immunoassays for cancer research.

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) is a DNA-binding protein that regulates homeostasis via transcription of a wide range of genes. It is inactive in oxygenated cells, but becomes active in hypoxic, i.e. low oxygen conditions. HIF proteins consist of a heterodimeric complex of identical alpha and beta sub-units. The α is degraded in normal oxygen conditions, while the β remains independent of O2 concentration.

All cancer genomes carry somatic mutations. These include base substitutions, rearrangements, insertions and deletions (indels). Antibody suppliers have seen tremendous growth in the field of cancer research recently, with antibodies to at least 400 cancer genomes.

Research into checkpoint signalling (CPS) forms a major part of IHC research. CPS regulates DNA repair mechanisms, apoptosis and cell cycle progression. Antibody research into checkpoint proteins has also shown they play an essential role in tumour development. ATM and ATR are two important checkpoint mediators which are well reported in cancer studies.

Research facilities often require a supply of antibodies of all classes, in both their whole and fragmented forms. There are both pros and cons to using fragments in place of entire proteins. As IgG is the most prevalent class on our antibody database, we’ll cover that one first.

For those who are new to working in this area of work, it may prove useful to outline a few tips on choosing antibodies.

Immunoglobulins are purchased as primary or secondary, and mono or polyclonal proteins. Primary antibodies bind directly to the antigen, and can be conjugated (labelled) with an enzyme or fluorescent dye, to produce a visible signal when the appropriate substrate is added. This allows direct detection of the antigen.