Antibody News

Tyrosine hydroxylase is the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis pathway of the catecholamines dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. Alternative mRNA splicing generates a wide molecular diversity of TH isoforms that are tissue specific and produce variations in enzymatic activity and neurotransmitter availability at various synapses. Parkinson's disease (PD) is due to a TH deficiency, as dopaminergic neuron degeneration and low dopamine levels are both consistently seen neurochemical abnormalities upon monitoring by tyrosine hydroxylase antibody staining (1).

PINK1 is a protein serine/threonine kinase (PTK) that protects the organelles from cellular stress and controls selective autophagy to clear damage. Exner, et al. were among the first to report that PINK1 deficiency in humans was linked to autosomal recessive occurrences of Parkinson's disease (PD) and neurogenerative pathology (1). They employed RNA interference-mediated down regulation of PINK1 and PINK1 antibody to show that their mitochondrial defect knockdown could be rescued by overexpression of Parkin, a ubiquitin-ligase complex component that has also been heavily linked to familial PD.  Lin’s group examined at length the subcellular localization, processing, and stability of PINK1 with the PINK1 antibody (2).

Beta Actin is one isoform of a multifamily of highly conserved proteins that regulate cell motility, structure, and integrity. The ubiquitous expression of beta-actin in all eukaryotic cells makes it both a historical and heavily-used internal quantitative control for protein comparative assays, as can be seen in the scientific literature and publication records. For example, beta actin antibody was employed in an ex vivo familial genome-wide genetics study identifying genomic regions of importance for chemotherapy cytotoxicity (1). In the immunology arena, beta actin antibody allowed the investigation of the effects of long-term administration of the DNA synthesis inhibitor imatinib mesylate on proliferation and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) in primary human T-cells (2). Yang’s group examined atherosclerotic plaques in ApoE...

TREM1 is pro-inflammatory gene that stimulates neutrophil and monocyte-mediated inflammatory responses. This protein is highly expressed in adult liver, lung and spleen. It is also present in the lymph node, spinal cord and heart tissues. TREM-1 plays a critical role in acute inflammatory responses to bacteria. In organs such as the liver, damage occurring due to irritants such as alcohol causes TREM-1 to amplify the inflammatory response by mediating a signalling pathway. This has been confirmed by Dr. Anatolij Horuzsko at Georgia Health Sciences University (1). Their research team found that chronic inflammation is caused due to TREM-1 which then stimulates pattern recognition receptor signalling pathways. This in turn initiates secretion of proinflammatory mediators, increases cell production and therefore creates mutated cells which lead to cancer.  Cancer and chronic...

ABCA1 is a key gatekeeper influencing intracellular cholesterol transport, and is an important member of a multifamily of cAMP-dependent anion transporter cell membrane proteins that regulate reverse cholesterol efflux from cells in peripheral tissues to apolipoprotein A1. ABCA1 has a wide expression profile with highest expression levels found in macrophages. ABCA1 antibody helped determine the role of Caveolin 1 in cellular cholesterol homeostasis in caveolin-1 deficient knockout mice (1). University of Washington researchers used ABCA1 antibodies to validate ABCA1 as an anti-inflammatory receptor, helping to explain its protective role against cardiovascular disease (2).

CD34 is a membrane protein that aids cells in cell-cell adhesion. Although little is known about its function, CD34 is an important marker for hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), muscle satellite cells, and endothelial cells. HSCs can be found in bone marrow and...

53BP1 (p53 binding protein 1) was originally thought to be a p53 transcriptional enhancing partner, but now has been shown to be an ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) substrate. It is a late DNA damage response (DDR) marker, appearing in the telophase/cytokinesis phase in mitotic mammalian cells (1). 53BP1 antibody was employed to show the absence of a full DDR response in mitotic cells – this response is also suppressed by high levels of cyclin-dependent kinase1 (CDK1) activation. Another cell cycle study involving 53BP1 antibody focused on characterizing those genomic loci within metaphase chromosomes that are prone to gaps and breaks, also known as common fragile sites (2).  Their findings suggest a model of DNA damage where the formation of large nuclear bodies containing 53BP1, MCD1, and OPT domains is triggered...

NOX4 is an NADPH oxidase that generates superoxide within the cell. It is primarily found in vascular cells, fibroblasts, and osteoclasts, with abundant expression in the kidney. Unlike its family members NOX1 and NOX2, NOX4 is constitutively active, producing primarily H2O2 rather than O2. This different species generated triggers NOX4-specific actions in downstream cell signaling. NOX4 regulates signaling cascades through phosphatase inhibition and also function as an oxygen sensor that regulates the KCNK3 potassium channel. NOX4 appears to be involved in a wide variety of processes from insulin regulation, apoptosis, and bone resorption, to LPS-mediated activation of NFkB. Not surprisingly, NOX4 has been implicated in hypertension, atherosclerosis, and...

The product of the Parkinson's disease 7 (Park7/DJ-1) gene belongs to the peptidase C56 family of proteins and appears to have two transcriptional variants. It is a positive regulator of androgen receptor-dependent transcription, and some evidence suggests it may also function as a redox-sensitive chaperone and sensor for oxidative stress. It apparently protects neurons against oxidative stress and cell death. Defects in the Park7 gene result in the autosomal recessive form of early-onset Parkinson’s disease. While much work has focused on underlying genetic factors in this disease, less is known about the specific molecular interactions. Jin, et. al. first used Park7 antibody to identify five novel proteins complexed with Park7/DJ-1 and alpha-synuclein, suggesting their role as docking proteins and clearing up some...

Huntington's disease is an inherited progressive neurodegenerative disorder which impairs cognition, causes issues with movement, and has associated behavioral changes and emotional problems. There is currently no cure for Huntington's disease, but research is focused on understanding the function of the Huntington's disease gene. Learn more in our infographic below.

Resources:

1. HDSA
2. Mayo Clinic
3. NIH
4. NIH
5...

Parkinson's disease affects the nervous system which controls movement. Damage to the levels of dopamine in the brain impairs the ability to relay messages to parts of the body which control movement. While the exact cause of the disease is unknown, researchers are examining genetic causes linked to the LRRK2 gene and environmental factors.

Resources:

1. UMM
2. PDF
3. BMJ
4. Mayo Clinic
5. ...

The neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1), commonly referred to as tachykinin receptor 1, is a 401 amino acid, 46 kDA protein encoded by the TACR1 gene localized on chromosome 2 (2p13.1-p12). It is a member of the tachykinin receptor gene family (including NK2 Receptor and NK3 Receptor) which is involved in the activation of phospholipase C, interactions with G proteins, and functioning in multiple hydrophobic transmembrane regions. NK1 is highly prevalent in the central nervous system (CNS), specifically in the amygdala, striatum, peripheral tissues, and some hypothalamic and thalamic nuclei. It functions in association with specific G proteins, acting in a phosphatidylinositol-calcium second messenger system as well as operating in the regulation of phosphatidylinositol metabolism of ...