Antibody database

Ep-CAM: Roles in cancer

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 - a multifunctional proinflammatory cytokine

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.

A New Standard in Antibody Testing - Simple Western Certified Antibodies

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 or CD192

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 - plays a critical role in suppressing inflammation and tumorigenesis

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.

Trex1 (3'-5' exonuclease TREX1, DNase III)

This gene encodes the major 3' to 5' DNA exonuclease in human cells. The protein is a non-processive exonuclease that appears to provide proofreading for checkpoint signaling after DNA damage in response to oxidative stress and apoptosis. It is ubiquitously expressed. Trex1 binds to single-stranded DNA coated with replication protein A found at sites of DNA damage, and recruits the ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3 related protein (ATR) checkpoint kinase.

PPAR gamma - An important target in human metabolism

Peroxisome proliferators are non-genotoxic carcinogens which are purported to exert their effect on cells by interacting with members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily known as peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs). There are four of these nuclear hormone receptors known to date, and they are ligand-dependent intracellular proteins that stimulate downstream gene transcription of genes such as acyl coenzyme A oxidase and cytochrome P450 (CYP450). Activation occurs through direct binding to specific DNA response elements following activation by an appropriate ligand.

Albumin - a family of globular protein

Albumin is a soluble and globular monomeric protein encoded by chromosome 4 that comprises about half of the protein found in blood serum. It functions as a carrier protein for steroids, fatty acids, and thyroid hormones as well as stabilizing extracellular fluid volume. Gene mutations result in various anomalous proteins. Albumin is synthesized in the liver as a preproalbumin with an N-terminal peptide that is removed before the nascent protein is released from the rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER).

SHARP1 - An enhancer-of-split- and hairy-related protein

SHARP1 encodes a transcription repressor factor that belongs to the Hairy/Enhancer of the Split subfamily of basic helix-loop-helix factors (bHLH). Sequence alignment shows that SHARP1 is only distantly related to these proteins with a 37-42% sequence identity within its bHLH domain. Unlike most other bHLH proteins, SHARP-1 is not expressed in neuronal progenitor cells or early differentiating neurons but is instead restricted to neuronal subset within the postnatal central nervous system (CNS).

BrDU (Bromodeoxyuridine)

The thymidine synthetic nucleoside analogue bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) has a long, colorful history of repeated use in molecular and cytokinetic studies, as detailed in reviews by Vanderlaan and Dolbeare (1,2).  Because BrDU is only incorporated into newly synthesized DNA in actively replicating S-phase cells, it allows for accurate and comprehensive quantitation of the pattern, rate, and progression of cell proliferation.

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