Application

All Prestige Antibodies Powered by Atlas Antibodies are developed and validated by the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) project and as a result, are supported by the most extensive characterization in the industry. The Human Protein Atlas project can be subdivided into three efforts: Human Tissue Atlas, Cancer Atlas, and Human Cell Atlas. The antibodies that have been generated in support of the Tissue and Cancer Atlas projects have been tested by immunohistochemistry against hundreds of normal and disease tissues and through the recent efforts of the Human Cell Atlas project, many have been characterized by immunofluorescence to map the human proteome not only at the tissue level but now at the subcellular level. These images and the collection of this vast data set can be viewed on the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) site by clicking on the Image Gallery link. We also provide Prestige Antibodies^® protocols and other useful information.

Biochem/physiol Actions

AQP4 (aquaporin 4) is the major water transporter in brain, and is thought to be responsible for maintaining the water homeostasis in brain. Therefore, AQP4 might play a key role in the pathogenesis of brain edema. Studies show that this transporter is overexpressed in cerebral ischemia. Thus, it might have potential as a therapeutic target for ischemic brain edema. Polymorphisms in this gene are associated with response to brain injury, and the clinical outcome in patients with traumatic brain injury. The short isoform (M23) of AQP4 facilitates the formation of orthogonal array of particles (OAPs), and the size of OAP is determined by the ratio of short (M23): long (M1) isoforms. These OAPs are known to interact with the pathogenic auto-antibodies generated in neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Thus, further studies on this protein might provide insights into the pathogenesis and treatment of NMO.

Disclaimer

Unless otherwise stated in our catalog or other company documentation accompanying the product(s), our products are intended for research use only and are not to be used for any other purpose, which includes but is not limited to, unauthorized commercial uses, in vitro diagnostic uses, ex vivo or in vivo therapeutic uses or any type of consumption or application to humans or animals.

Features and Benefits

Prestige Antibodies^® are highly characterized and extensively validated antibodies with the added benefit of all available characterization data for each target being accessible via the Human Protein Atlas portal linked just below the product name at the top of this page. The uniqueness and low cross-reactivity of the Prestige Antibodies^® to other proteins are due to a thorough selection of antigen regions, affinity purification, and stringent selection. Prestige antigen controls are available for every corresponding Prestige Antibody and can be found in the linkage section.Every Prestige Antibody is tested in the following ways: IHC tissue array of 44 normal human tissues and 20 of the most common cancer type tissues. Protein array of 364 human recombinant protein fragments.

General description

AQP4 (aquaporin 4) is an intrinsic protein, and belongs to the family of aquaporin water channels, which consists of thirteen members. This gene is localized to human chromosome 18 q11-q12, and has four exons and three introns. The encoded protein has five loops, intervened by six transmembrane domains. Loops A, C and E face the extraplasmic region, and loops B and D are present in the cytoplasmic region. It is expressed in peripheral organs such as, lung, stomach and kidney. It is the predominant water channel expressed in central nervous system. It is expressed by astrocytes, and localizes preferentially to end-foot processes of astrocytes. It is present as two alternatively spliced forms- long one called M1 and the short one named M23.

Immunogen

Aquaporin-4 recombinant protein epitope signature tag (PrEST)

Legal Information

Prestige Antibodies is a registered trademark of Sigma-Aldrich Co. LLC

Linkage

Corresponding Antigen APREST73067.

Physical form

Solution in phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.2, containing 40% glycerol and 0.02% sodium azide