Bethyl Laboratories, Inc.

Antibodies to Polycomb and Trithorax Group Proteins

April 29, 2010

Overview

The development of body parts is determined by transcriptional activators encoded by homeotic (Hox) genes. From the stage of embryo to adult, the maintenance of Hox gene expression in either an active or silenced state is critical to normal development. The importance of these genes is indicated by the striking effects of their incorrect expression in flies. Incorrect expression causes homeotic transformations where one body part is transformed into the likeness of another. Polycomb group (PcG) and trithorax group (trxG) proteins are highly conserved key regulators of Hox genes. PcG and trxG proteins were originally discovered in Drosophila as mutant genes that resulted in homeotic transformations involving the thorax. PcG and trxG proteins work as opposing forces to maintain Hox gene expression by epigenetically modifying chromatin structure via polycomb/trithorax group response elements (PRE/TREs). PcG proteins maintain silenced states of gene expression, while trxG proteins maintain active states. Much of what is known about PcG and trxG function and their regulation of Hox gene expression has been established through the extensive study of the Drosophila model. Human homologs of PcG proteins and trxG proteins have been identified and found to be involved in similar processes controlling stem cell self-renewal and cell fate. A continuation and advancement of our understanding of the epigenetic regulation of gene transcription by PcG and trxG in humans will certainly lead to answers concerning how these factors contribute to stem-cell function and cancer formation.

Selected Reviews
1. L. Ringrose and R. Paro, "Polycomb/Trithorax Response Elements and Epigenetic Memory of Cell Identity," Development. 134, no. 2 (2007): 223-232.
2. V. K. Rajasekhar and M. Begemann, "Concise Review: Roles of Polycomb Group Proteins in Development and Disease: a Stem Cell Perspective," Stem Cells. 25, no. 10 (2007): 2498-2510.

Bethyl Laboratories' Portfolio
ARID1A/BAF250 ASH1 ASH2 ASXL2 BMI1 BRG1/SMARCA4 CBX2 CBX7 CBX8 CHD4/Mi2beta CHD7 EZH2 FALZ/BPTF HDAC2 JARID1B JARID1C MLL1 MLLT1 p400 Pc2 PHC3 RbBP4 RbBP5 RbBP7 Sirt1 SMARCA1/SNF2L SMARCA2/BRM SMARCB1/SNF5 SMARCC2/BAF170 SUZ12 TRX2	Detection of Human and Mouse SMARCB1/SNF5 by Western Blot (h&m) and Immunoprecipitation (h). Samples: Whole cell lysate from HeLa (5, 15 and 50 mcg for WB; 1 mg for IP, 20% of IP loaded), 293T (T; 50 mcg) and mouse NIH3T3 (M; 50 mcg) cells. Antibodies: Affinity purified rabbit anti-SMARCB1/SNF5 antibody A301-087A used for WB at 0.4 mcg/ml (A) and 1 mcg/ml (B) and used for IP at 3 mcg/mg lysate. SMARCB1/SNF5 was also immunoprecipitated by rabbit anti-SMARCB1/SNF5 antibody BL708, which recognizes a downstream epitope. For blotting immunoprecipitated SMARCA2/BRM, ReliaBLOT Reagents and Procedures (Cat. No. WB120) were used. Detection: Chemiluminescence with exposure times of 10 seconds (A) and 3 minutes (B).	Detection of Human SMARCA2/BRM by Western Blot and Immunoprecipitation. Samples: Whole cell lysate (5, 15 and 50 mcg for WB; 1 mg for IP, 20% of IP loaded) from HeLa cells. Antibodies: Affinity purified rabbit anti-SMARCA2/BRM antibody A301-015A used for WB at 0.04 mcg/ml (A) and 1 mcg/ml (B) and used for IP at 3 mcg/mg lysate. SMARCA2/BRM was also immunoprecipitated by rabbit anti-SMARCA2/BRM antibodies A301-014A and A301-016A, which recognize other epitopes. For blotting immunoprecipitated SMARCA2/BRM, ReliaBLOT Reagents and Procedures (Cat. No. WB120) were used. Detection: Chemiluminescence with exposure times of 10 seconds (A) and 3 seconds (B).

Search for Antibodies by Research Area
Bethyl Laboratories' portfolio of polyclonal antibodies commercially available includes over 3500 polyclonal antibodies to over 1300 proteins. We test our antibodies in a wide range of applications including ELISA, western blot, immunoprecipitation, immunohistochemistry, and immunocytochemistry. We have recently validated many of our antibodies for flow cytometry and ChIP. Our antibody range also includes secondary antibodies, loading controls and antibodies to epitope tags.

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