Anti-Pbx1b monoclonal antibody

Researchers in the laboratory of Dr. Michael Cleary at Stanford University have developed anti-Pbx1b monoclonal antibodies to study transcriptional regulation, embryonic development, and tissue homeostasis. Mammalian Pbx genes encode a family of TALE (three amino acid loop extension) homeodomain proteins that function as transcriptional regulators in numerous cell types.

Pbx1 was originally identified in human pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemias. Lack of Pbx1 results in embryonic lethality and is associated with multiple patterning malformations, hypoplasia or aplasia of most internal organs, organ malfunctions, and severe fetal anemia. Pbx1 is the prototypic Pbx family member and encodes the alternatively spliced Pbx1a and Pbx1b isoforms that exhibit characteristic biochemical properties. Pbx1b is the low molecular-weight protein form. Pbx utilizes the alternative portions of itself to interact with Meis versus Hox proteins. The Pbx1b isoform mediates elastase enhancer activity in pancreatic acinar cells as part of a trimeric complex. The anti-Pbx1b antibodies could be used in research related to leukemia, embryonic development, and tissue homeostasis.