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). SHARP1 appears to play a regulatory role in the clockwork system integrating with Clock and Bmal1. Mutations in this gene (designated hDEC2-P385R) are associated with short sleep phenotypes in both humans and mice, resulting in elevated levels of vigilance time and concomitant decreases in sleep time.
In their myogenesis model system, Lecomte et al studied the role of sterol regulatory element binding protein 1a (SREBP-1a) muscle mass regulation and cell differentiation with the SHARP1 antibody (1). Additional studies with the SHARP1 antibody from dermatologist researchers at Johns Hopkins showed that microRNAs were capable of attenuating the expression of several cell death and survival proteins in the response of squamous carcinoma cells to cisplatin (2). Western blotting with the SHARP1 antibody was done by Inaguma's group at the Aichi Medical University, where they proposed that the decreased mismatch repair (MMR) seen in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is due to the transcription factor GLI1, and in turn results in tumor development and progression (3). A recent publication relying upon the SHARP1 antibody came from Liao’s laboratory and implicates SHARP1 in the suppression of endometrial cancer (EC) through a hypoxia-inducible-factor-1a (HIF-1a)-dependent pathway (4). Metrics included correlating expression levels with tumor staining, histological grading, lymph node status, and blood vessel permeation. As established by their publication, SHARP1 is a novel tumor suppressor that holds promise as a prognostic marker and potential target for EC therapies.
PMIDs
Novus Biologicals offers SHARP1 reagents for your research needs including:
