Stem Cells

DNA methylation plays a critical role the long-term silencing of transcription and is essential for processes such as embryonic development, germline differentiation, and tissue maturation.

Cyclization recombination enzyme (Cre) is a member of the extensive family of recombinases and recognizes a 34 bp sequence motif from PI bacteriophage referred to as LoxP. The Cre enzyme works to cleanly excise an intervening DNA fragment that is flanked by two LoxP sites. The LoxP sites must be present in the same orientation. The excised segment is later degraded to leave only a single LoxP site copy in the starting target molecule.

Inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase subunit alpha (IKK1 alpha) is a serine/threonine kinase that forms a complex with IKK beta and NEMO. It plays an essential role in embryonic skin development. Mice with low levels of IKKa show an increase in squamous cell carcinoma and overexpression of IKK-α in the skin of these mice abrogates tumor formation (1).

Cre (Cyclization recombination enzyme) is a member of the large family of recombinases. Cre recognizes Lox site loxP, a 34 bp sequence motif from the PI bateriophage. If a DNA segment is flanked by two loxP sites in the same orientation, Cre neatly excises the segment (for later degradation) leaving a single remaining loxP site in the DNA molecule. The Cre/Lox system was first developed in the late 1980's to artificially manipulate gene expression and extensive reviews of the system exist (1).

GPR49/LGR5 (G protein-coupled receptor 49/leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5) is also known by the names FEX, GPR67, GRP49, HG38, and MGC117008). It is an orphan receptor and structurally related to members of the mammalian large transmembrane glycoprotein hormone receptor family (FSH-R, TSH-R, and LH-R).

CXCR4 (C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4) is a member of the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR1) family. It is expressed as a multipass membrane protein in several tissues where it acts as the receptor for the C-X-C chemokine CXCL12/SDF-1. This ligand increases intracellular calcium ion levels and enhances activation of the MAPK1/MAPK3 cascade.

Clinical depression (also known as major depressive disorder or MDD) affects many people, but the biological processes that cause it (and are influenced by its treatments) are not well understood. Adult neurogenesis is a newly emerging field that could contribute to our knowledge of the etiology of depression and the effects of antidepressants. Nestin antibodies are key tools for this research, as they can be used to identify developing neurons.

Cluster of differentiation (CD) antigens are membrane proteins in nature that are predominantly expressed on the leukocyte surface. However diminutive sums of CD antigens have also been reported to be expressed on other cell types which include the endothelial, stem, and dendritic cells along with erythrocytes.

Nanog, a homeodomain (HD) transcription factor, plays a critical role in the maintenance of embryonic stem (ES) cell self-renewal. Transcription regulator involved in inner cell mass and ES cell proliferation and self-renewal.

The luciferase reporter is a valuable tool for research into physiology and disease. Light emitted from luciferase enables the monitoring of xenografted tumors, specific cell types, gene expression and pathogens within live animals over time using bioluminescence imaging (BLI) technology. Further detail can be revealed through the use of luciferase antibodies.