Antibodies

MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) antibodies are widely used in cellular research to study these processes, in both healthy and cancerous cells. For example, p38 is a pro-apoptotic factor, and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) regulates cellular longevity and stress resistance. Together they form the JNK/p38 signaling pathway, which is controlled by at least five MAPK cascades.

Apoptosis inhibitors are a well studied group of proteins that have been implicated in the formation of several types of human tumor. The most commonly studied IAP (inhibitor of apoptosis protein) is the Survivin antibody. However, our apoptosis antibody catalog at Novus Biologicals is constantly being updated to reflect the growing list of newer proteins. cIAP1 and cIAP2 antibodies are among the more recent of our anti-apoptosis products.

We at Novus Biologicals have a huge range of monoclonal and polyclonal immunoglobulins on our antibody database, and are constantly developing more. Immunoglobulins comprise a number of different classes, and it’s important you select the right one for your needs. Here, we give a brief run-down of antibody classification.

Since DNA-damage can lead to the development of tumours, these antibodies are widely used in cancer studies. Cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs), which interact with regulatory cyclins, are essential to the progression of the cell cycle. However, tumours can develop if CDK/cyclin disruption leads to unregulated cell reproduction. Therefore these two proteins are carefully regulated.

Not everybody working in immunobiology has an in-depth knowledge of the subject. Some may be students, who are still getting to grips with the discipline at college. Others may have been forced into a swift career change following restructuring at work. For whatever reason, people quite often perform their first antibody assays with only the vaguest knowledge of the underlying concepts.

IgG is the most prevalent antibody in mammalian tissue, and therefore a major number of the proteins on an antibody database are of this type. The other classes that are studied are IgA, IgM, IgD and IgE. Depending on the tissue and disease being studied, polyclonal and monoclonal versions of all these antibodies are also produced against specific antigens.

In the body, plasma B-cells produce large numbers of antibodies specific to foreign proteins. In the 1970s, studies into multiple myeloma (a B-cell cancer) revealed these plasma cells produced an antibody specific to one protein. This led to development of other antigen-specific antibodies.

Many people enter immunobiology from a different area of research. Although they swiftly learn the protocols and methods of the assays, they may not fully understand the underlying concepts. We at Novus Biologicals realise that not everybody purchasing products from our antibody catalogue has an in-depth knowledge of the “tools of the trade”. For them, and anybody else needing a quick bit of revision, we have put together a few basic notes.

Tumour Necrosis Factor Receptor 2 (TNFR2) exists as both a cytoplasmic and transmembrane glycoprotein. Together with TNFR1, it has been shown to stimulate T lymphocyte activity via TNFα action. The TNF signalling pathways are complex, and mutation or disruption of the proteins at any stage can cause oncogenesis. Therefore TNF-related antibodies are widely used in immunoassays for cancer research.

Recently, we at Novus Biologicals have added a new batch of monoclonal anti-HIF-1 alpha antibody to our hypoxia catalogue, developed from H1alpha67 hybridoma cultures. This furthers the role that HIF-1 antibodies play in cancer research.