The antibodies in our stem cell antibody catalog are used in many areas of research, from developing therapies to investigating cancer. These research areas are related, because although pluripotent stem cells have the potential to replace organ transplants and heal paralysis, they also have the potential to develop into cancerous cells. Now, researchers at the Rockefeller University have discovered a link between stem cell apoptosis and tumor development in mice.
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been identified in many human cancers. Antibody studies have shown CSCs can accelerate cell proliferation, increase DNA-repair mechanisms and block apoptosis. The development of stem cell marker antibodies to these proteins is an important area of CSC research.
Garcia-Fernandez, et al. of the Strang Laboratory, decided to look at the SEPT4 gene, which in humans encodes ARTS, a mitochondrial protein known to promote TGF-Beta induced apoptosis and antagonise IAPs (inhibitor of apoptosis proteins). SEPT4 is often under-expressed in cancers, pointing to a tumor suppressor role.
The study compared hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in ARTS-deficient newborn mice to those of normal controls. Previous antibody studies focusing on mature cells had shown no difference between the groups. However, in stem cell populations the difference was pronounced, with ARTS-deficient mice having roughly 50% more HSCs and progenitors than the controls. These cells were able to survive experimentally- induced apoptosis to a high degree, with a 50% increase in spontaneous tumor development over controls. This suggested premature silencing of the SEPT4/ARTS pathway in stem cells can lead to increased apoptosis resistance and cancer development.
This is the first antibody study to show a definite link between HSC apoptosis and tumor susceptibility. We at Novus Biologicals have over 65 products related to SEPT4 on our antibody database, and are committed to supplying top quality reagents for stem cell and cancer research.
Novus Biologicals offers many SEPT4 reagents for your research needs including:
