Scavenger Receptor Class B Membrane 1, also known as SR-BI plays an important role in lipid metabolism. Its main function is to mediate transfer of cholesterol between the cell surface and high density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL acts as an extracellular donor and acceptor of free and esterified Cholesterol. SR-BI also acts as a receptor for other ligands including lipoproteins, apoptotic cells and phospholipids.
Carbonic Anhydrase IX (CA-IX) is an enzyme that is induced under hypoxic conditions. This enzyme is rarely present in normal cells and is responsible for controlling tumor pH. CA-IX is a transmembrane glycoprotein of the zinc metalloenzyme family. This family displays 15 isoforms in human tissues. Carbonic Anhydrase IX functions to convert carbonic acid present in hypoxic cells into a biocarbonate and a proton.
Microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) is considered one of the definitive markers of autophagy, and its use is widespread in labs throughout the world. Despite its popularity, there are several considerations when employing LC3 antibodies in immunoassays, Western blots in particular.
Embryonic stem (ES) cells are cells derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst, an early-stage embryo. ES cells are distinguished from other cells due to their pluripotency, which is the ability to differentiate into any different type of cell in the body, and also their capability of propagating indefinitely. These two factors make embryonic stem cells valuable tools in the scientific community, especially in regenerative medicine.
Research antibodies have long been used to advance HIV/Aids research, however researchers at the California Institute of Technology have recently published a study [PMID: 22033520] developing a new antibody that may someday be used clinically to neutralize HIV. Beginning with a naturally occurring antibody (NIH45-46) purified from HIV positive patients, the researchers modified the antibody using a technique called structure-based rational design.
Epitope tagging is a procedure that inserts a short amino acid sequence into a protein within an expression vector via genetic engineering. Antibodies that recognize the tag can then be used to detect the protein when no antibody to the target protein exists or when the target protein shows low immunogenicity. Such tags can be inserted at the C-terminus, N-terminus or even within the protein itself. Terminal insertion is preferred as internal tags may alter protein function or become buried within the tertiary structure of the protein.
MAP1LC3 (shortened to LC3 in our antibody catalog) is one of four mammalian homologues of autophagy-related protein 8 (Atg8). It has been identified as a light chain subunit of the microtubule-associated proteins MAP1A/MAP1B. A modified form of LC3, LC3-II, has been identified as a marker for the autophagosomal membrane in mammals.
The main function of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family was originally thought to be restricted to degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. However, studies with their antibodies have identified several other functions. We at Novus Biologicals have an extensive range of MMP antibodies for research.
