Antibody News

World DNA Day celebrates the anniversary of the discovery of the double helix and publication of the findings by Watson, Crick, Wilkins and Franklin as well as the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003. Congress officially declared April 25^th as DNA day to commemorate both scientific achievements. Learn more about DNA in our infographic below.

Resources

1. Science Centres 
   
2. DNAFTB.org 
   
3. ...

The Wnt gene family is made up of structurally related genes encoding secreted signaling proteins. These proteins have been implicated in oncogenesis and developmental processes, such as cell fate regulation and embryogenesis patterning. There is high evolutionary conservation among species for the Wnt5A protein. Rao’s group from China used the Wnt5A antibody in their immunohistochemical expression survey on a wide variety of renal epithelial neoplasms in hopes of determining if Wnt5A is a useful immunohistochemical marker that allows a definitive differential diagnosis between renal oncocytomas and other subtypes within the spectrum of renal cell carcinomas (RCCs)¹. Some interesting neuroscience studies detailing synaptic plasticity and chronic pain were performed with the Wnt5A antibody in HIV patients².

Transient receptor potential A1 (TRPA1) is an ion channel found on the plasma membrane of many cell types that functions in diverse sensory processes such as pain and temperature. The TRPA1 ion channel is specifically expressed in nociceptive neurons, as well as neurons who express the related protein TRPV1. In fact, Brierly et al used a TRPA1 antibody to discover that this ion channel is largely present on smaller neurons vs larger ones (1). A typical inflammatory response instigates tissue repair and eradication of harmful agents after tissue has been damaged. While TRPA1 elicits mostly a positive response, it can also cause chronic inflammation, which can lead to other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, chronic itching and asthma (2).

Cell death via apoptosis is a basic cellular function occurring through the cell death receptor family and their ligands which signal through downstream adaptor molecules and the caspase protease family. Caspases have a precursor form composed of a prodomain, and large and small catalytic subunit, and are activated through a cleavage adjacent to an aspartate to liberate units and allow formation of an a2b2 tetramer. Caspase 3 is a cytoplasmic caspase with two isoforms (one acts as a dominant negative inhibitor), and is involved in the activation cascade for apoptosis execution. Caspase 3 cleaves/activates SREBPs, Caspase 7, and Caspase 9. A Caspase 3 antibody was used by Berges and colleagues to assist in their detailed characterizations of...

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a secretory glycoprotein that is a family member of the TNF receptor (TNFR) superfamily. Osteoprotegerin protects bone by blocking osteoclastogenesis and increasing bone density. Unlike other TNFRs, osteoprotegerin lacks a transmembrane domain as well as any apparent cell-associated signals. High levels of osteoprotegerin mRNA are found in specialized tissues such as lung, heart, kidney, and placenta. There is evidence that osteoprotegerin plays a role in degenerative arterial disease. Sandra et al used ELISA studies employing the osteoprotegerin antibody with hopes of understanding the bone resorption that occurs with the bone tumor ameloblastoma (1). Their findings seem to suggest that ameloblastoma secretes RANKL and TNF alpha. Some interesting studies looking at bone loss in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) used the...

Prostate cancer is caused by malignant cells developing in prostate tissue. Common warning signs of prostate cancer include problems with urination (sudden urges, pain, blood in urine, difficulty urinating), experiencing pain in the back and pelvis, and feeling tired/dizzy. There are different tests utilized to diagnose prostate cancer including PSA screening, TRUS, DRE, and biopsy.

Resources:

1. Cancer.gov
2. Cancer.gov 
   
3. ...

The CXCR7 (C-X-C chemokine receptor type 7) proinflammatory protein is a member of the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) family. It is a transmembrane protein first identified as the EBV-induced gene-1, and while it was originally classified as an orphan receptor, it is now known to be a novel and alternate receptor for the chemokines CXCL11 and CXCL12. While the actual function of the CXCR7 protein is not entirely understood, it appears to be elevated in human cancers and important for tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. In particular, the CXCR7 ligands have abundant expression in human astrocytoma and glioblastomal neural tissues.  Singh’s oncology group used a CXCR7 antibody in their immunoprecipitations to identify a novel pathway of ligand-independent signaling in prostate cancer that involves paired regulation with IL-8¹....

Beta-actin belongs to a large family of highly conserved structural cell proteins that regulate cell motility, structure, and integrity. Beta-actin is expressed in all eukaryotic cells making it the ideal internal quantitative control for protein comparative assays. This feature has made it uniquely a historical and heavily-utilized standard, as the public record of scientific publication literature can attest to. Ex vivo familial genome-wide genetics studies trying to identify chemotherapy cytotoxicitygenomic hotspots used the beta actin antibody in genome-wide linkage analyses¹. Dietz’s group employed the beta actin antibody to monitor effects of long-term administration of the DNA synthesis inhibitor imatinib meslyate on downstream events such as proliferation and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) in both human primary T-cells and murine in vivo models².

Cells undergo apoptotic programmed cell death in response to various stimuli. The process is required for morphogenesis, tissue homeostasis, and host defense. Certain cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and Fas ligand signal through death domain-containing receptors such as tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) and Fas. The death domain-containing receptor TRAIL-R1 is the latest member in the TNF family and is expressed in most human tissues such as spleen, peripheral blood leukocytes, small intestine, and thymus. Like its fellow receptors TNFR1, Fas, and death receptor 3 (DR3), TRAIL-R1 mediates apoptosis and NF-kB activation in a variety of cells and tissues. The TRAIL-R1 antibody was employed to determine the key role of the signal recognition particle (SRP) complex in apoptosis triggered by TRAIL-R1 but not...

The CXCR4 (C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4) protein is one member of the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR1) family. As a multipass membrane protein that is found in several tissues, it is the receptor for the C-X-C chemokine CXCL12/SDF-1. The CXCR4 ligand works by modulating intracellular calcium ion levels and activating the MAPK1/MAPK3 signal pathways. CXCR4 is also a receptor for extracellular ubiquitin, which produces enhanced levels of intracellular calcium and reduced levels of cellular cAMP. The CXCR4 protein governs a large variety of cellular processes ranging from hematopoiesis to cardiac ventricular septum formation. It has a key role in the vascularization of the gastrointestinal tract through controlling vascular branching and endothelial cell remodeling processes. Stumm’s group used the CXCR4 antibody  in immunohistochemistry (IHC) experiments to profile key factors...

Akt1 is a serine/threonine-specific protein kinase involved in many cellular signaling pathways. The major function of this kinase is to mediate cell survival, but it also plays key roles in various other cellular functions such as glycogen synthesis and cell growth. Akt1 acts as a transducer for growth factor receptors that modulate phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) activity. Akt is believed to be a factor in cancer as the tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) was found to antagonize both PI-3 kinase and Akt kinase activity. Akt’s major phosphorylation sites located at threonine 308 and serine 473 are required for its activation and three mammalian isoforms have been identified. Spanish researchers used the Akt antibody in their characterizations of transgenic mice with membrane-targeted PI3K to monitor morphological changes and tumorigenesis in mammary ducts^1...

TLR1 belongs to the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family, and is a key player in the recognition of pathogens as well as the activation of the innate immunity system. TLRs are highly conserved proteins with a high degree of structural and functional homology from Drosophila to humans. By recognizing pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) that are exhibited across a spectrum of ligands, including infectious agents, TLRs modulate cellular cytokine production needed for efficient innate immunity development. Rat reproductive tract studies in Pallodino’s lab with TLR1 antibody demonstrate that the mRNAs of different TLRs and TLR adapter proteins are expressed in contrasting patterns and locations in different rat male reproductive tissues¹. The same research group also used the TLR1 antibody  to perform analogous detailed studies in epididymal cells...