The c-Myc Antibody: A Major Tool in Cancer Research

C-Myc is a widely expressed transcription factor, regulating cellular differentiation, proliferation, cell cycle progression and pro-apoptotic gene expression. The c-Myc antibody is widely used in cancer research, as a number of human tumors have been attributed to altered c-Myc expression.

In normal tissue c-Myc expression is tightly regulated, only occurring when cells actively divide. However, in cancer cells genetic aberrations cause the gene to be expressed in an uncontrolled fashion. C-Myc antibody studies have revealed abnormal expression of the protein in 90% of gynecological cancers and 80% of breast tumors. Overexpression has also been reported in 70% of colon cancers and 50% of hepatic carcinomas, as well as a number of hematological cancers. Around 100,000 cancer deaths a year can be attributed to the c-Myc gene in the US alone.

C-Myc is a basic helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper (b-HLH-LZ) protein. It can be activated by forming a heterodimer with Max, another b-HLH-LZ monomeric protein. It is thought transcription occurs through a combination of histone acetylation and direct interaction with the transcription apparatus. Max has been known to bind to certain Mad proteins, forming heterodimers which block c-Myc transcriptional activity in association with other proteins, including histone deacetylases and Sin3.

C-Myc antibody research has revealed cellular proliferation and cell cycle progression may be controlled by phosphorylation at Thr58/Ser62, via glycogen synthase kinase 3, cyclin dependent kinase, ERK2 and JNK (C-Jun N terminal Kinase) interaction. Novus Biologicals offers both polyclonal (NB600-1271) and monoclonal (NB110-57173) c-Myc antibodies specific to phosphorylation at residues threonine 58 and serine 62. These antibodies do not react with the protein in its non-phosphorylated form.

Novus Biologicals offers many C-Myc reagents for your research needs including:

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