unc-9 Antibody

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Description

Introduction to UNC-9 Antibody

The UNC-9 antibody refers to immunological tools targeting the unc-9 gene product in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), a model organism widely used in neurobiology and developmental studies. UNC-9 is an innexin protein critical for forming gap junctions, which enable direct intercellular communication. These antibodies are used to study UNC-9’s localization, function, and regulatory mechanisms in muscle cells and neurons.

Antibody Development and Specificity

UNC-9 antibodies are designed to target specific regions of the protein:

Antibody CombinationTarget RegionEpitopeTested ApplicationsELISA TiterPrice (USD)
X-O01393-NN-terminusPeptideELISA, WB10,000599
X-O01393-CC-terminusPeptideELISA, WB10,000599
X-O01393-MMid-regionPeptideELISA, WB10,000599

These mouse monoclonal antibodies are validated for Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), with detection limits of ~1 ng of target protein . The N-terminal and C-terminal antibodies are particularly useful for studying UNC-9’s subcellular localization and interactions.

Gap Junction Function in Muscle Cells

UNC-9 forms gap junctions between body-wall muscle cells, enabling electrical coupling. Studies using UNC-9 antibodies revealed:

  • UNC-1 dependency: UNC-1 modulates UNC-9 channel function but does not affect its expression or localization .

  • Electrical coupling: In unc-1 mutants, intra-quadrant coupling is reduced by ~70%, confirming UNC-9’s role in muscle coordination .

Presynaptic Tiling and Synaptic Organization

UNC-9 regulates presynaptic domain formation in C. elegans motor neurons:

  • DD5/DD6 boundary: UNC-9 localizes to the DD5/DD6 presynaptic tiling border, acting as a positional cue to prevent synaptic overlap .

  • EGL-20 interaction: Double mutants (egl-20; unc-9) exhibit ectopic presynaptic puncta, highlighting UNC-9’s role in synaptic organization .

Immunostaining and Localization

UNC-9 antibodies (e.g., anti-UNC-9) are used to visualize gap junctions:

  • Muscle cells: Immunoreactive puncta are observed at intercellular junctions in body-wall muscles .

  • Neurons: Localization in ventral cord motor neurons and the nerve ring confirms its role in neural communication .

Product Specs

Buffer
**Preservative:** 0.03% Proclin 300
**Constituents:** 50% Glycerol, 0.01M PBS, pH 7.4
Form
Liquid
Lead Time
Made-to-order (14-16 weeks)
Synonyms
unc-9; R12H7.1; Innexin unc-9; Uncoordinated protein 9
Target Names
unc-9
Uniprot No.

Target Background

Function
UNC-9 is a structural component of gap junctions. It plays a crucial role in maintaining gap junction activity, which is essential for promoting locomotion.
Gene References Into Functions
  1. UNC-9 has been shown to play a significant role in neuromuscular transmission. (PMID: 16434400)
  2. UNC-9 localizes perisynaptically throughout development and is essential in presynaptic neurons for regulating active zone differentiation. (PMID: 19386917)
  3. UNC-7S and UNC-9 are widely expressed and contribute to a substantial number of the gap junctions identified in the locomotory nervous system. (PMID: 19432959)
Database Links

KEGG: cel:CELE_R12H7.1

STRING: 6239.R12H7.1

UniGene: Cel.19695

Protein Families
Pannexin family
Subcellular Location
Cell membrane; Multi-pass membrane protein. Cell junction, gap junction.
Tissue Specificity
Expressed in PLM neurons (at protein level). Expressed in the nerve ring.

Q&A

Here’s a structured FAQ for researchers studying antibody-based assays and therapies, informed by UNC-developed antibody research and related methodologies. While "unc-9" is not explicitly defined in the sources, the content focuses on antibody assay design, validation, and applications in academic research.

Advanced Research Questions

  • What experimental strategies resolve discrepancies in antibody neutralization vs. binding data?

    • Hypothesis Testing:

      • Epitope Mapping: Use cryo-EM or alanine scanning to identify if non-neutralizing antibodies bind to non-RBD regions (e.g., N-terminal domain) .

      • Fc-Mediated Effects: Evaluate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) via flow cytometry with NK cell co-cultures .

  • How can AAV vectors improve sustained antibody delivery in vivo?

    • Innovative Techniques:

      • Vector Engineering: Use muscle-specific promoters (e.g., CBA) in AAV genomes to restrict antibody expression to target tissues .

      • Dual-Chain Design: Encode heavy and light chains in separate AAVs for proper antibody assembly, achieving >95% sequence fidelity to native IgG (see patent sequences in Tables 3/4) .

  • What computational tools analyze high-dimensional antibody repertoire data?

    • Pipeline:

      • Single-Cell RNA-Seq: Pair B-cell receptor sequencing with transcriptomics to link clonality to function.

      • Network Analysis: Tools like Cytoscape identify clonal clusters associated with neutralization .

Data Contradiction Analysis

  • How to address conflicting results in antibody titer decay rates across studies?

    • Root Cause: Variations in assay sensitivity (e.g., RBD vs. full-spike ELISA) or cohort differences (e.g., age, prior immunity) .

    • Resolution:

      • Meta-Analysis: Pool datasets using random-effects models to quantify heterogeneity (I² statistic).

      • Standardization: Adopt WHO international standards for titer normalization .

Key Challenges in Antibody Research

  • Sensitivity-Specificity Tradeoff: High specificity for RBD reduces false positives but may miss antibodies targeting other domains .

  • Longitudinal Dropout: Attrition in cohort studies (e.g., 12-month follow-up in Table 1) limits power to model long-term kinetics .

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