Released on: July 2, 2008, 9:55 am

Press Release Author: AnaSpec Inc.

Industry: Biotech

Press Release Summary: AnaSpec has introduced two keratin antibodies that recognize
both the intact and caspase digested N-terminal of K18 and K19 at Asp237.

Press Release Body: San Jose, CA -July 2nd, 2008
AnaSpec has introduced two keratin antibodies that recognize both the intact and
caspase digested N-terminal of K18 and K19 at Asp237. These antibodies are useful
tools for studying keratin dynamics in mice undergoing hepatocyte apoptosis,
patients with cirrhosis, and also in apoptotic cells of various epithelial human
tumors in a non-invasive manner.
Intermediate filaments (IFs), together with actin microfilaments and tubulin
microtubules, comprise the three major cytoskeletal networks that are found in most
eukaryotic cells.1 Keratins, which are the largest IF protein subgroup, can be
divided into the acidic type I (K9-K20) and basic type II (K1-K8) Keratins.2
Typically, epithelial cells express at least one of each type, and the proteins
exist in the cells as noncovalent obligate heteropolymers. Keratin networks are
highly dynamic and reorganized during cell differentiation, mitosis and apoptosis,
and also play important cytoprotective and structural support roles for the cell.3,4
During apoptosis, the epithelial keratins 18 and 19 undergo caspase-mediated
proteolysis, leading to the disassembly of the nuclear envelope and cytoplasmic IF
networks.5 K18 and K19 undergo caspase-cleavage at the conserved Asp237 in their rod
domains.5,6 In contrast to other type I keratins, K18 is unique in that it includes
another caspase-cleavage site at Asp396 of the carboxy-terminal domain.7
Rabbit anti-human Keratin-18 (Asp237) or anti-human Keratin-19 (Asp237) polyclonal
antibodies were raised against a synthetic peptide corresponding to an internal
sequence surrounding amino acid 237 (GLTVEVD) of human Keratin-18 or amino acid 237
(QVSVEVD) of human Keratin-19, respectively. Anti-Keratin 18 reacts to both cleaved
keratin-18 (Asp237) (29 kDa) and intact Keratin-18 (49 kDa) proteins from
anisomycin-treated human colonic carcinoma HT29 cell lysate and Fas antibody-induced
mouse liver lysate (see figure below).6 This antibody also reacts to cleaved
Keratin-19 (Asp237) (29 kDa).6 Anti-Keratin 19 reacts to both cleaved keratin-19
(Asp237) (29 kDa) and intact Keratin-19 (45 kDa) proteins from anisomycin-treated
human colonic carcinoma HT29 cell lysate.6 This antibody also reacts to cleaved
Keratin-18 (Asp237) (29 kDa).6 Both antibodies are human, mouse, and monkey
reactive. oduct Size Catalog #
Anti-Keratin-18 (Asp237); human NEW 250 µL 55148A
Anti-Keratin-19 (Asp237); human NEW 250 µL 55149A
Company Info
AnaSpec, Inc. is a leading provider of integrated proteomics solutions to
pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic research institutions throughout the world.
With a vision for innovation through synergy, AnaSpec focuses on three core
technologies: peptides, detection reagents (dyes, assay kits, & antibodies), and
combinatorial chemistry.
For more information, visit www.anaspec.com



Web Site: http://www.anaspec.com

Contact Details: AnaSpec Inc.
2149 O\'Toole Ave.
San Jose, CA 95131
1-408-452-5055 (Tel)
1-408-452-5059 (Fax)
1-800-452-5530
ping@anaspec.com
www.anaspec.com