Antibody catalog

Caspases are a family of cysteine-aspartic acid proteases that are responsible for the initiation and execution of apoptosis. Caspase-8 is a 55 kDa protein expressed as an inactive procaspase that resides in the cytosol. Activation of Caspase-8 requires cleavage into its large (17-21 kDa) and small (10-13 kDa) catalytic subunits. Caspase-8 has been shown to play a role in the induction of apoptosis by both death receptor mediated and non-receptor mediated mechanisms (1). Caspase-8 signals to effector Caspase-3 to execute apoptosis.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are responsible for the degradation of extracellular matrix proteins. MMPs are essential for tissue remodeling during normal processes such as embryonic development as well as pathological conditions such as arthritis and tumor metastasis. MMP3, a member of the stromelysin family, has broad specificity for proteins such as collagens, fibronectin, proteoglycans, and elastin making it an important player in extracellular matrix remodeling. These activities are especially important during tumorigenesis by enhancing epithelial to mesenchymal transition.

The vertebrate fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) family is an important group of proteins involved in embryonic development and the growth and proliferation of adult cells. Mutations in FGFR proteins can lead to pathologies including bone or limb defects and various forms of cancer. FGFR proteins are receptor tyrosine kinases that, upon ligand binding, dimerize and signal through the MAPK and PLCγ pathways.

Calnexin is an abundant 90kDa chaperone protein that resides in the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum. Calnexin and the related calreticulin protein function together to ensure the proper folding of glycoproteins. By binding to partially folded or misfolded proteins, Calnexin functions as an important quality control monitor ensuring proper folding of proteins destined for the plasma membrane or secretion.

G-protein coupled receptor 78 (GPR78) was identified based on homology to other GPCR family members. The GPR78 gene encodes an orphan receptor protein that is 363 amino acids in length and contains the typical seven transmembrane domain found in GPCRs. The protein is widely expressed in the mammalian brain including the pituitary and is also found in the placenta. While a ligand for GPR78 has yet to be identified, its expression pattern suggests a potential role in hormone and stress regulation as well as during pregnancy.

Integrins are a family of transmembrane proteins involved in diverse processes including cell adhesion, signal transduction, cell migration, and differentiation. They exist as heterodimers consisting of noncovalently linked alpha and beta subunits. Integrin complexes span the plasma membrane and link the cytoskeleton with the extracellular matrix. In mammals there are 18 alpha and 8 beta subunits that can assemble into 24 distinct integrin heterodimers with alternative splicing adding even more diversity.

Lysosomes are membrane-bound organelles responsible for the degradation of various biological macromolecules. Vesicles containing hydrolytic enzymes bud from the Golgi and fuse with endosomes to form the mature lysosome capable of breaking down various types of cargo. Their general function in recycling biological molecules places lysosomes at center of various processes including autophagy, endyocytosis, and phagocytosis.