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.
UNC-9 antibodies are designed to target specific regions of the protein:
| Antibody Combination | Target Region | Epitope | Tested Applications | ELISA Titer | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X-O01393-N | N-terminus | Peptide | ELISA, WB | 10,000 | 599 |
| X-O01393-C | C-terminus | Peptide | ELISA, WB | 10,000 | 599 |
| X-O01393-M | Mid-region | Peptide | ELISA, WB | 10,000 | 599 |
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.
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 .
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 .
UNC-9 antibodies (e.g., anti-UNC-9) are used to visualize gap junctions:
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.
What experimental strategies resolve discrepancies in antibody neutralization vs. binding data?
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?
How to address conflicting results in antibody titer decay rates across studies?