ANTIBODIES TO MEMBRANE PROTEINS

A central structure in the secretory pathway of the cell comprises an elaborate endomembranous system with the multifunctional endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as a major constituent. Newly synthesized secretory proteins and a variety of resident proteins of the pathway enter the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Subsequently, the proteins may be sorted selectively to different membrane-delimited organelles including the Golgi apparatus, endosomes, lysosomes and secretory vesicles.

Several classes of proteins regulate the various steps in protein and lipid transport throughout these membranous structures. MUbio Products BV provides antibodies to a new family of ER-associated proteins, the reticulons, which show a tissue specific distribution.

Mitochondrial membrane proteins have been shown to be involved in several cellular processes such as the regulation of apoptosis and the energy metabolism. The recently acquired cardiotin antibodies, which are reactive with mitochondrial proteins, have proven to be early indicators of ischemia induced changes in the myocardium.