Anti-HOXC4 Antibody Picoband®

Homeobox protein Hox-C4 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HOXC4 gene. This gene belongs to the homeobox family of genes. The homeobox genes encode a highly conserved family of transcription factors that play an important role in morphogenesis in all multicellular organisms. Mammals possess four similar homeobox gene clusters, HOXA, HOXB, HOXC and HOXD, which are located on different chromosomes and consist of 9 to 11 genes arranged in tandem. This gene, HOXC4, is one of several homeobox HOXC genes located in a cluster on chromosome 12. Three genes, HOXC5, HOXC4 and HOXC6, share a 5' non-coding exon. Transcripts may include the shared exon spliced to the gene-specific exons, or they may include only the gene-specific exons. Two alternatively spliced variants that encode the same protein have been described for HOXC4. Transcript variant one includes the shared exon, and transcript variant two includes only gene-specific exons.

A synthetic peptide corresponding to a sequence in the middle region of human HOXC4, which shares 95.7% amino acid (aa) sequence identity with mouse and rat HOXC4.

Expressed in immune system and fetal brain, but not in other tissues tested or in multiple hematopoietic cell lines. Predominantly expressed in skin keratinocytes but not in fibroblasts, endothelial cells or melanocytes. Increased in lesional psoriasis skin.

Cytokine that binds to and signals through the IL1RL2/IL-36R receptor which in turn activates NF-kappa-B and MAPK signaling pathways in target cells linked to a pro-inflammatory response. Part of the IL-36 signaling system that is thought to be present in epithelial barriers and to take part in local inflammatory response; similar to the IL-1 system with which it shares the coreceptor IL1RAP. Seems to be involved in skin inflammatory response by acting on keratinocytes, dendritic cells and inly on T-cells to drive tissue infiltration, cell maturation and cell proliferation. In cultured keratinocytes induces the expression of macrophage, T-cell, and neutrophil chemokines, such as CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CCL2, CCL17, CCL22, CL20, CCL5, CCL2, CCL17, CCL22, CXCL8, CCL20 and CXCL1, and the production of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IL-8 and IL-6. In cultured monocytes upregulates expression of IL-1A, IL-1B and IL-6. In myeloid dendritic cells involved in cell maturation by upregulating surface expression of CD83, CD86 and HLA-DR. In monocyte-derived dendritic cells facilitates dendritic cell maturation and drives T-cell proliferation. May play a role in proinflammatory effects in the lung.

1. Apiou, F., Flagiello, D., Cillo, C., Malfoy, B., Poupon, M.-F., Dutrillaux, B. Fine mapping of human HOX gene clusters. Cytogenet. Cell Genet. 73: 114-115, 1996.

At -20°C for one year from date of receipt. After reconstitution, at 4°C for one month. It can also be aliquotted and stored frozen at -20°C for six months. Avoid repeated freezing and thawing.