Antibodies

IL-33 is a member of the interleukin family of cytokines that regulates a wide variety of cellular functions. Its receptor is ST2, an IL-1 receptor family member that also acts as a negative regulator of TLR-IL-1R signaling and the IL-1R accessory protein (IL-1RAcP). Receptor binding of IL-33 activates NF-kB and MAP kinases, stimulating downstream expression of TH2-associated cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5 and IL-6.

Beta-defensin 3 is a novel, non-hemolytic antimicrobial cationic peptide originally isolated from human lesional psoriatic scales and keratinocyte clones. It is a very small (2-6 kD) yet potent salt-insensitive broad spectrum antimicrobial that targets many pathogenic microbes such as multiresistant S. aureus, vancomyosin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, fungi, and enveloped viruses.

NUT has been found to fuse with bromodomain-containing proteins 3 and 4 (BRD3 and BRD4) in NUT midline carcinoma (NMC), a very rare, extremely aggressive, and genetically defined human cancer. NMC has recently been designated as a sub classification of poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. In the majority of NMCs (~75%), most of the coding sequence is fused to form chimeric genes that encode BRD-NUT fusion proteins.

VEGFR-2 is a family member of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family of membrane receptor tyrosine kinases. It is a key regulator of the process of angiogenesis that takes place during fundamental developmental processes such as embryogenesis, skeletal growth, and reproductive functions. Like other growth factor receptors, upon ligand binding, VEGFR2 dimerizes and is autophosphorylated on multiple tyrosine residues.

PABP is found complexed to the 3-prime poly(A) tail of eukaryotic mRNA and is required for poly(A) shortening, translation initiation, and possibly mRNA export and import. In humans, PABPs are small nuclear isoforms within a conserved gene family of at least 3 functional proteins: PABP1 (PABPC1), inducible PABP (iPABP, or PABPC4), and PABP3 (PABPC3). PABPs are of special interest because due to their high affinity for A-rich mRNA sequences, they are involved in all mRNA-dependent events.

Ep-CAM is a monomeric transmembrane glycoprotein that is found exclusively on every epithelial cell membrane and a variety of epithelial carcinomas and cancer-initiating cells. It mediates calcium-independent cell-cell adhesion. Because Ep-CAM is overexpressed in a variety of human carcinomas it is both a valuable marker as well as a potential therapeutic target for human solid tumors. The adhesion properties of this molecule marker are dependent upon its two epidermal growth factor-like repeats within its extracellular domain coupled with a cysteine-poor region.

TNF alpha is a multifunctional proinflammatory cytokine that is part of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily. It is mainly secreted by macrophages and causes tumor necrosis when injected into tumor -earing mice. It exists as a multimer of two, three, or five noncovalently linked units. TNF alpha is closely related to the 25kD Tumor Necrosis Factor beta (TNF beta, or lymphotoxin), and both proteins share the same receptors and cellular functions. TNF alpha binds and functions through the TNFRSF1A/TNFR1 and TNFRSF1B/TNFBR receptors.

The Western blot is one of the most commonly used antibody assay techniques in cell and molecular biology research since its development over three decades ago, and is considered the gold standard for protein detection and quantification. The traditional Western blot can be a labor-intensive and time-consuming process, leading many researchers to seek an alternative method that is more efficient, reproducible and quantitative.

CCR2 is a receptor for several monocyte chemoattractant proteins (MCP1, MCP3, MCP4) that specifically govern monocyte chemotaxis. CCR2 transduces its downstream signals through increasing intracellular calcium ion levels. For example, MCP1 regulates the monocyte infiltration found in inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid or the cellular inflammatory response to tumors. CCR2 is also an alternative co-receptor with CD4 for HIV1 infection.

NALP6 belongs to the NLRP family of which function as innate sensors of endogenous and exogenous stress and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). NLRPs are vital components of the inflammasome which is the cytoplasmic multiprotein complex that coordinates inflammation and cell homeostasis in various type of cells/tissues. NALP6 is one of the newest NLR protein family members and is highly expressed in intestinal epithelium and granulocytes, and to a relatively lower level in T-cells.