Recombinant Drosophila melanogaster Signal peptidase complex subunit 1 (Spase12)
Description
Molecular Identity and Biological Role
Spase12 (Gene ID: 50096) is a 12 kDa subunit of the signal peptidase complex (SPC) in Drosophila melanogaster. The SPC cleaves signal peptides from nascent secretory and transmembrane proteins entering the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), enabling proper protein localization . Unlike its yeast homolog Spc1p, Spase12 is essential for viability in Drosophila, with null alleles causing embryonic lethality and tissue-specific developmental defects .
Key Gene Information
Functional Insights from Mutational Studies
Loss-of-function (LOF) mutations in spase12 disrupt development in Drosophila, as demonstrated by:
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Developmental Defects: Mosaic tissues exhibit disorganized ommatidia (eye units), ectopic bristles, and aberrant cell differentiation .
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Immune Activation: Melanotic mass formation in mutant tissues suggests Spase12 LOF triggers immune responses .
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Apoptosis: Increased caspase activity and retinal degeneration in mutant eyes .
These phenotypes highlight Spase12’s role in maintaining ER function and tissue homeostasis. Unlike yeast Spc1p, Spase12 is indispensable in metazoans, potentially due to its interactions with ribosomal subunits and translocon components .
Research Tools and Antibodies
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Rabbit Anti-Spase12 Antibody: Used for Western blot and ELISA, validated for specificity in Drosophila lysates .
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Genomic Rescue Constructs: A 29 kb genomic fragment (spase12 GR) rescues LOF phenotypes, confirming functional equivalence to native Spase12 .
Applications in Protein Trafficking Research
Recombinant Spase12 facilitates:
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Mechanistic Studies: Investigating SPC substrate specificity and cleavage efficiency.
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Disease Modeling: Linking ER processing errors to developmental disorders.
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High-Throughput Screening: Identifying inhibitors or modulators of signal peptidase activity.
Evolutionary and Comparative Insights
Spase12’s homology to human SPC12 (54% sequence similarity) underscores its utility in studying conserved ER translocation pathways . Functional divergence from yeast Spc1p highlights evolutionary adaptations in multicellular organisms .
Product Specs
Note: We will prioritize shipping the format that we have in stock. However, if you have specific format requirements, please indicate them in your order, and we will fulfill your request.
Note: All of our proteins are shipped with standard blue ice packs. If you require dry ice shipping, please inform us in advance. Additional fees will apply.
Generally, liquid forms have a shelf life of 6 months at -20°C/-80°C. Lyophilized forms have a shelf life of 12 months at -20°C/-80°C.
Target Background
- Spase12 is an essential gene required for development and cell differentiation in the fruitfly. PMID: 23573290
