Nicastrin Polyclonal Antibody

Product Comments
This purified rabbit polyclonal antibody is suitable for the detection of Nicastrin by WB in samples from human, mouse, and rat origins. An ~76 kDa band is observed in SDS-PAGE Immunoblots.

Applications
WB

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Species Reactivity
H, M, R

Format
PBS, 0.02% sodium azide

Host Species
Rabbit

Immunogen
Synthetic peptide corresponding to a sequence near the carboxy-terminus of human Nicastrin

Positive Control
mouse brain

Purification Method
Peptide Affinity

Significance and Uses
Nicastrin, in addition to presenilin, PEN2, and APH-1, forms the gamma-secretase protein complex, a membrane-bound aspartyl protease that can cleave certain proteins at peptide bonds buried within the hydrophobic environment of the lipid bilayer. This cleavage is responsible for a key step in signaling from several cell-surface receptors, and is thought to be required for the generation of the neurotoxic amyloid peptides that are central to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer¿s disease. Like the tumor necrosis factor-alpha-converting enzyme (TACE) and the beta-site cleavage enzyme (BACE) protease families, gamma-secretase will cleave the amyloid precursor protein (APP), but within the intramembrane region of APP, resulting in either the non-toxic p3 (from the α and γ cleavage site) or the toxic alpha/beta amyloid peptide (from the beta and gamma cleavage site). It is thought that accumulation of the alpha/beta peptide is the precursor to Alzheimer¿s disease. Nicastrin may also regulate cell proliferation and signaling via activation of Notch receptors, as loss of Nicastrin expression results in mouse embryonic lethality.

For research use only, not for diagnostic or therapeutic use.