subject: RCAN1 antibody and its role in Alzheimer's research [print this page] RCAN1 antibody and its role in Alzheimer's research
Clinical research is highly dependent on antibody suppliers being able to provide high-quality products targeted to the proteins causing disease. Life-limiting conditions like cancer are now studied at the most basic molecular level. Recently, we at Novus Biologicals added a new range of RCAN1 antibodies to our antibody -, to further the fight against Alzheimer's disease.
RCAN1, also known by its alternative name of DSCR1 (standing for Downs Syndrome Critical Region gene 1) encodes a protein which binds to calcineurin A, a protein phosphotase enzyme and T-cell activator which is also known to interact with GABA, Dopamine and NMDA receptors in the brain. Antibody studies have shown that calcineurin A deficiency causes schizophrenia-type symptoms in mice.
RCAN1 binds to the catalytic (i.e. active) subunit of calcineurin, inhibiting genetic transcription signalling pathways dependent on the enzyme, and possibly affecting development of the central nervous system. The protein is overexpressed in Downs Syndrome, hence its original name. However, the protein has three distinct isoforms, at least one of which (RCAN1-1L) is also overexpressed in Alzheimer's Disease.
Calcineurin works by dephosphorylating the tau protein so that microtubule stabilisation can occur. Tau proteins are found mainly in the neurons of the CNS in humans, where they function to regulate microtubule stability in the axons. Loss of tau action leading to microtubule instability is a common cause of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. When RCAN1 binds to calcineurin, the result is toxic hyperphosphorylation of tau, resulting in disruption of microtubule assembly and destabilisation. This leads to progressive neuronal degeneration a characteristic symptom of Alzheimer's disease.
Recent antibody studies have focussed on the role beta amyloid proteins play in Alzheimer's disease, as the formation of amyloid plaques is known to be a root cause of dementia. However, the more we discover about Alzheimer's, the more we realise it is a disease which must be attacked from many angles. Our new RCAN1 antibodies play an important part in this.
