Neuroscience

Connexin: Bridging the Gap of Intercellular Communication

Connexin 43/GJA1 is a member of the connexin gene family and the most abundant protein component found within gap junctions. Gap junctions are the cell-to-cell contacts that provide direct intercellular communication between cells by regulating back and forth diffusion of low molecular weight molecules. As such, they regulate quite an extensive range of key cellular processes.

TrkB: Docking for Neurotrophins and Beyond.

Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) is a member of the Trk receptor tyrosine kinases family consisting of TrkA, TrkB and TrkC. The sequence of these family members is highly conserved. TrK's are activated by several neurotrophins, which are small protein growth factors that play a role in survival and differentiation of distinct cell populations.

Antibodies Targeting the mTOR Pathway for Many Diseases

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a downstream effector of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt (protein kinase B) signaling pathway that mediates cell survival and proliferation. It is increasingly apparent that mTOR signaling impacts most major cellular functions.

GFAP Antibodies are a 'No Brainer' for Neurodegenerative Research

Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is the main intermediate filament protein in mature astrocytes, but also an important component of the cytoskeleton in astrocytes during development. Recent developments using GFAP antibodies in astrocyte biology, and the discovery of novel intermediate filament functions, have enticed interest in the function of GFAP.

ApoE: The Key to Preventing Alzheimer's Disease?

Apolipoprotein E also known as ApoE is a 36kDa protein that is expressed in all lipoprotein fractions in plasma. This protein is produced in high quantities in the liver, brain, spleen, lung and kidney. The function of APOE is to mediate the binding, internalize and catabolize lipoprotein particles. A study carried out by researchers at the Case Western Reserve University in Ohio has recently been highlighted in the BBC Health News.

A Look at Peripherin: The Unknown Filament

The exact function of Peripherin, or Neurofilament 4, is unknown however it has been suggested to play a role in axon formation and determining and maintaining the shape of nerve cells. Peripherin is a 470 amino acid Class-III neuronal intermediate filament protein. It has two isoforms produced by alternative splicing, one with a molecular weight of 53.651 KDa and one with a molecular weight of 53.779 KDa.

Caspase 3/7 Inhibitors Show Potential for Anti-Inflammatory Therapies

Apoptosis is one of the best-characterized phenomena in cellular and molecular biology. Not only is it essential for successful development, but its deregulation also leads to a number of human diseases, most notably cancer.

Can Tubby Make You Tubby?

The TUB gene, which encodes for the protein Tubby, is evolutionarily conserved in human, chimpanzee, dog, cow, mouse, chicken, zebrafish, fruit fly, mosquito, C. elegans, and rice.

Marking the Autophagosome: the LC3 Antibody

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.

Using Ubiquitin Antibodies in Various Disease Research

Ubiquitin is a small, highly conserved protein which plays an important role in protein breakdown, covalently bonding to proteins to mark them for proteolytic degradation in a process called ubiquitination. Ubiquitin also binds to inclusion bodies (accumulations of protein) in pathological conditions such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer's disease.

Pages