Each phospho-antibody in this cocktail recognizes endogenous levels of only the phosphorylated form of its specific target. The eIF4E antibody detects endogenous levels of its target independent of phosphorylation and is provided to control for protein loading.
Source / Purification
Antibodies are produced by immunizing animals with synthetic peptides, and are purified by combinations of Protein A and peptide affinity chromatography.
Description
The PathScan® Multiplex Western Detection Cocktail offers a unique method to assay the activation of multiple proteins on one membrane without stripping and reprobing. This method saves the user valuable time while increasing accuracy and minimizing reagent waste. The PDGFR Tyrosine Kinase Activity Assay allows the user to simultaneously detect the phosphorylation of PDGF receptor, SHP2, Akt and p44/42 MAPK proteins in response to PDGF. The kit also includes an eIF4E antibody to control protein loading.
Background
Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a dimeric molecule that exists as homodimers or heterodimers of related polypeptide chains (A and B). Two types of PDGF receptors have been identified. The PDGF alpha-receptor binds all three isoforms with high affinity, whereas the beta-receptor binds only PDGF-BB with high affinity, PDGF-AB with low affinity and does not appear to bind PDGF-AA (1). PDGF exerts its stimulatory effects on cells by binding to these two related protein tyrosine kinase receptors. Ligand binding induces receptor dimerization and autophosphorylation, allowing binding and activation of cytoplasmic SH2-domain-containing signal transduction molecules. Thereby, a number of different signaling pathways are initiated, leading to cell growth, actin reorganization, migration and differentiation (2-4). In clinical studies, PDGF expression has been shown in a number of different solid tumors, from glioblastomas to prostate carcinomas. In these various tumor types, the biologic role of PDGF signaling can vary from autocrine stimulation of cancer cell growth to more subtle paracrine interactions involving adjacent stroma and even angiogenesis. Targeting PDGF signaling becomes an effective way for tumor treatment (5).