Antibodies

What is the Cellular Role of the CD11 Protein?

The CD11 protein is actually a heterodimer complex that consists of CD11b and CD18. CD11 is involved in numerous adhesion-related associations between cells such as monocytes, macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, and granulocytes. CD11 also regulates the uptake of complement-coated particles within cells. It has also gained usage as a microglial marker for tissues derived from the nervous system.

The inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) are important regulators of cell death and inflammation. The cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein 2 (cIAP2) contains three Baculovirus IAP repeat (BIR) domains, a Ubiquitin associated (UBA) domain, and a RING domain with E3 ligase activity. cIAP2 inhibits apoptosis through direct inhibition of the pro-apoptotic caspase-3. cIAP2 also regulates cell survival through its role in the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) signaling pathway.

ATG9A is the only essential integral membrane protein involved in autophagy. ATG9A contains six transmembrane domains and initiates the assembly of autophagosomes. The autophagosome is a double-membrane structure that engulfs and eventually degrades cytoplasmic materials such as organelles or macromolecules. Assembly of the autophagosome requires the delivery of lipids and membrane components to initiate and expand the double-membrane pre-autophagosome structure called the isolation membrane.

Bcl-2 nineteen-kilodalton interacting protein 3 (BNIP3) is a pro-apoptotic BH3-only protein. BNIP3 localizes to the mitochondrial membrane where it plays a key role in mitochondrial autophagy and cell death pathways. Similar to other Bcl-2 family members, BNIP3 binds to Bcl-2 and can activate the downstream effectors of Bax/Bak.

Read our list of eight facts people in a lab will understand including: pipetting counts as thumb cardio, a watched frozen trypsin bottle never thaws, dark bags under your eyes are evidence your experiment needs more optimization,  700 post-it notes are just as good as a lab notebook and more. Do you have a fact that wasn’t included in the list? Submit it in the comments section below and we will add it to our next list.

IL-1 was originally identified and cloned as a lymphocyte mitogen and much later, was found to be comprised of two closely related but distinct proteins, interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta). Both these proteins bind to the same cell surface receptor. IL-1 is primarily released from stimulated macrophages, but is also released from several other cell types. Along with other IL-1 gene family members, IL-1 beta falls within a cytokine gene cluster on chromosome 2.

The complement system is made up of a collection of proteins found in the bloodstream and is comprised of nine major complement proteins; complement C3 is one of them. The complement system is a crucial component of the cellular immune system because it kills unwanted bacteria and initiates inflammation. Within the complement system family of proteins, C3 is the most plentiful as well as most central protein, and consists of an alpha and a beta chain. The C3 activation step represents the convergence of the lectin, classical, and alternative complement activation pathways.

SUCNR1 is the cognate receptor for the Kreb's citric acid cycle intermediate succinate. It is of interest to scientists because it is involved in not only energy metabolism but possibly also in renovascular hypertension, a condition linked to diabetes, renal failure, and atherosclerosis.  This G-protein coupled receptor is most highly expressed in the kidney - predominantly in the proximal tubules. Two signaling pathways have been identified downstream from SUCNR1: a pertussis-toxin-sensitive Gi/Go pathway, as well as a pertussis-toxin-insensitive Gq pathway.

MCT1 is a proton-linked transport carrier that catalyzes the movement of short chain monocarboxylates (branched-chain oxo acids derived from leucine, valine, and isoleucine) across both plasma and inner mitochondrial membranes. In particular, substances such as lactate, pyruvate, butyrate, and ketone bodies are shuttled; these play big roles in cell metabolism particularly in tissues and organs like the kidney, intestine, liver, and brain.