Cancer Diagnostics Solutions
The activation peptides of aspartic proteinases play a role as inhibitors of the active site. These peptide segments, or pro-parts, are deemed important for correct folding, targeting, and control of the activation of aspartic proteinase zymogens. The pro napsin A gene is expressed predominantly in lung and kidney. Its translation product is predicted to be a fully functional glycosylated aspartic proteinase precursor containing an RGD motif and an addition 18 residues at its C-terminus.
NeuN antibody specifically recognizes the DNA-binding, neuron-specific protein NeuN, which is present in most CNS and PNS neuronal cell types of all vertebrates tested. NeuN protein distributions are apparently restricted to neuronal nuclei and some proximal neuronal processes in both fetal and adult brain although, some neurons fail to be recognized by NeuN at all ages: INL retinal cells, Cajal-Retzius cells, Purkinje cells, inferior olivary and dentate nucleus neurons, and sympathetic ganglion cells are examples. Immunohistochemically detectable NeuN protein first appears at developmental timepoints that correspond with the withdrawal of the neuron from the cell cycle and/or with the initiation of terminal differentiation of the neuro.
Immunoreactivity appears around E9.5 in the Rabbit neural tube and is extensive throughout the developing nervous system by E12.5. Strong nuclear staining suggests a nuclear regulatory protein function; however, no evidence currently exists as to whether the NeuN protein antigen has a function in the distal cytoplasm or whether it is merely synthesized there before being transported back into the nucleus. No difference between protein isolated from purified nuclei and whole brain extract on immunoblots has been found.
This monoclonal antibody recognizes a 200 kDa protein corresponding to the heavy subunit of neurofilaments (NF-H). Its reactivity is specific to the phosphorylated KSP/KEP repeat domain located at the C-terminal region of NF-H. Following dephosphorylation of neurofilaments with alkaline phosphatase, antibody binding is abrogated, confirming phosphorylation-dependent recognition. Neurofilaments constitute the principal structural scaffolding of axons and dendrites and are distributed throughout neurons, peripheral nerves, and sympathetic ganglion cells. They are composed of three major subunits: NF-L (68 kDa), NF-M (160 kDa), and NF-H (200 kDa). Immunoreactivity with anti-neurofilament is observed across a spectrum of neural, neuroendocrine, and endocrine neoplasms. Positive staining is typically seen in neuromas, ganglioneuromas, gangliogliomas, ganglioneuroblastomas, and neuroblastomas. Additionally, neurofilament expression is detected in paragangliomas, as well as in adrenal and extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas. Carcinoid tumors, cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinomas, and pulmonary small-cell (oat cell) carcinomas also demonstrate immunopositivity for neurofilament
The protein encoded by this gene possesses a homeobox domain, suggesting a regulatory role in developmental processes, particularly in the morphogenesis of the central nervous system. The gene is localized on chromosome 20 in close proximity to NKX2-4, with both genes exhibiting paralogous duplication on chromosome 14, giving rise to TITF1 (NKX2-1) and NKX2-8. The encoded protein is presumed to function as a nuclear transcription factor, participating in the modulation of gene expression during embryonic development
Homeobox protein NKX2.2, encoded by the NKX2-2 gene, is a transcription factor crucial for neuroendocrine and glial differentiation, expressed in the developing forebrain and spinal cord. It is significant in neuronal development and fate specification.
NKX2.2 is a valuable marker for Ewing's sarcoma, showing strong correlation with the EWS-FLI transcription factor, a common aberration in 85% of cases. Unlike CD99, which is nonspecific and also expressed in various cells and tumors, NKX2.2 specifically labels 93% of Ewing?s sarcoma cases and only a few non-Ewing tumors, aiding in differential diagnosis with high sensitivity and specificity
Homeobox protein NKX3.1, also known as BAPX2 and NKX3A is a protein that in humans is encoded by the NKX3.1 gene located on chromosome 8p. NKX3.1 is a prostatic tumor suppressor gene, which is an androgen-regulated, prostate-specific homeobox gene whose expression is predominantly localized in the prostate epithelium. It is a negative regulator of epithelial cell growth in prostate tissue. Loss of NKX3A protein expression is a common finding in human prostate carcinomas and prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. NKX3-1 expression is seen in prostate epithelium, testis, ureter, and pulmonary bronchial mucous glands. NKX3-1 has been established as a marker for identifying metastatic tumors. In a study the sensitivity for identifying metastatic Prostatic Adenocarcinomas was 98.6% for NKX3.1, 94.2% for PSA and 98.6% for PSAP and specificity of 99.7% for NKX3.1. NKX3.1-positive prostate carcinoma cells exhibit nuclear staining. Additionally, most cases of Urothelial Carcinoma have been found to be negative for NKX3.1 and may be helpful to distinguish between high grade Prostate Adenocarcinoma and high grade Infiltrating Urothelial Carcinoma. NKX3.1 has also been found to be expressed in Invasive Ductal Carcinomas (IDC) and Invasive Lobular Carcinomas (ILC) of the breast. NKX3.1 expression is limited to ER, PR, and AR positive carcinomas and is more frequently expressed in ILC than IDC. NKX3.1 has a high specificity and sensitivity for prostate adenocarcinomas and can be used to help distinguish between Prostate Carcinoma and Urothelial Carcinomas
This monoclonal antibody targets a protein of approximately 50 kDa, identified as gamma-enolase. There are three isoenzymes of enolase: alpha, beta, and gamma. The alpha isoform is expressed in most tissues, while the beta isoform is primarily found in muscle tissue. In contrast, gamma-enolase is exclusively present in nervous tissue.
These isoforms can form both homodimers and heterodimers and are involved in the glycolytic pathway, specifically in converting phosphoglyceric acid to phosphoenolpyruvic acid. Gamma-enolase (NSE) serves as a valuable marker for identifying peripheral nerves and neuroendocrine tumors, such as pheochromocytomas. It is typically used in combination with other markers, including Synaptophysin, Chromogranin A, and Neurofilament
Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is a gamma-gamma isoform of the glycolytic enzyme enolase, selectively expressed in neurons, peripheral nerves, and various neuroendocrine cells and neoplasms. It serves as a reliable marker for neural and neuroendocrine differentiation due to its high tissue specificity. While its expression is predominantly neuronal, low-level immunoreactivity may also be observed in smooth muscle tissue. Immunohistochemical detection of NSE is frequently employed to visualize peripheral nerve structures and to support the diagnosis of tumors exhibiting neuroendocrine differentiation, including neuroblastomas, small cell carcinomas, and pheochromocytomas.
NUTM1 (NUT Midline Carcinoma Family Member 1) is a protein-coding gene implicated in aggressive malignancies such as NUT midline carcinoma and spindle cell sarcoma. It is involved in chromatin remodeling and transcriptional regulation, particularly within the context of histone acetylation pathways. NUTM1 contributes to the control of cellular proliferation and has been shown to regulate TERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase) expression by modulating the binding affinity of the transcription factor SP1 to specific sites within the TERT promoter. A known paralog of NUTM1 is NUTM2G, which may share functional similarities.