egl-15 Antibody
Description
Definition and Target Specificity
The egl-15 antibody is a polyclonal antibody designed to detect EGL-15, the sole FGFR homolog in C. elegans. EGL-15 exists in two major isoforms (5A and 5B) generated by alternative splicing, which differ in their extracellular domains and functions . The antibody recognizes specific epitopes within the receptor:
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Crackle antibody: Targets the carboxy-terminal domain of EGL-15 .
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Pop antibody: Binds to the acid box region in the extracellular domain .
Applications in Research
The antibody has been used to:
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Identify EGL-15 isoforms: Western blotting reveals four distinct EGL-15 polypeptides (∼105, 95, 85, and 75 kDa), corresponding to differentially glycosylated forms or splice variants .
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Study receptor localization: Immunostaining in C. elegans tissues, including the hypodermis and sex myoblasts .
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Investigate protein degradation: EGL-15 activation via the Ras-MAPK pathway triggers proteolysis in muscle cells, a process validated using antibody-based assays .
Molecular Characterization
Functional Insights
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Protein degradation: Hyperactivation of EGL-15 (via clr-1 mutations) induces muscle proteolysis through the GRB2/Ras/MAPK pathway .
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Heparin binding: EGL-15 binds heparin in vitro, with the 105-kDa isoform showing highest affinity .
Western Blot Results
Role in Signal Transduction Studies
EGL-15 antibody has elucidated mechanisms such as:
Product Specs
Constituents: 50% Glycerol, 0.01M PBS, pH 7.4
Target Background
- A study identified the mechanism responsible for maintaining presynaptic distribution during postdevelopmental growth: the requirement of a SLC17 family transporter CIMA-1. CIMA-1 antagonizes a specific FGFR isoform, EGL-15(5A), in epidermal cells to modulate glial morphology, subsequently influencing AIY synaptic distribution. [PMID: 23870123]
- Intestinal tube formation in *Caenorhabditis elegans* necessitates egl-15 signaling. [PMID: 20004187]
- Research indicates that N-glycans negatively regulate EGL-15 FGFR activity *in vivo*, supporting the concept that mutations in N-glycosylation sites in human FGFR may lead to inappropriate receptor activation. [PMID: 19801543]
- A novel EGL-15 receptor isoform generated by alternate splicing has been identified. Evidence suggests that the two different forms of EGL-15 are responsible for its distinct functions. [PMID: 12835392]
- Reporters for egl-15 exons 5A and 5B exhibited tissue-specific profiles, leading to the isolation of mutants with defects in this tissue specificity. [PMID: 17060915]
- EGL-15(5A) is primarily expressed in the M lineage, which gives rise to migrating sex myoblasts and their sex muscle descendants, while EGL-15(5B) is predominantly expressed in the hypodermis. [PMID: 18455716]
