Anti-WRS/WARS1 Antibody Picoband® Fluoro488 Conjugated

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases catalyze the aminoacylation of tRNA by their cognate amino acid. Because of their central role in linking amino acids with nucleotide triplets contained in tRNAs, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are thought to be among the first proteins that appeared in evolution. Two forms of tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase exist, a cytoplasmic form, named WARS, and a mitochondrial form, named WARS2. Tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (WARS) catalyzes the aminoacylation of tRNA (trp) with tryptophan and is induced by interferon. Tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase belongs to the class I tRNA synthetase family. Four transcript variants encoding two different isoforms have been found for this gene.

Abundantly expressed in the chondrocyte extracellular matrix, and is also found in bone, tendon, ligament and synovium and blood vessels. Increased amounts are produced during late stages of osteoarthritis in the area adjacent to the main defect.

Signal Transduction, Cell Biology, Cell Cycle, Stem Cells, Cell Differentiation, Cytoskeleton/ECM, Extracellular Matrix, Structures, ECM Proteins, Mesenchymal Stem Cells

May play a role in the structural integrity of cartilage via its interaction with other extracellular matrix proteins such as the collagens and fibronectin. Can mediate the interaction of chondrocytes with the cartilage extracellular matrix through interaction with cell surface integrin receptors. Could play a role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Potent suppressor of apoptosis in both primary chondrocytes and transformed cells. Suppresses apoptosis by blocking the activation of caspase-3 and by inducing the IAP family of survival proteins (BIRC3, BIRC2, BIRC5 and XIAP) . Essential for maintaining a vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) contractile/differentiated phenotype under physiological and pathological stimuli. Maintains this phenotype of VSMCs by interacting with ITGA7 (By similarity) .

1. Borglum, A. D., Flint, T., Tommerup, N., Fleckner, J., Justesen, J., Kruse, T. A. Assignment of the human tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase gene (WARS) to chromosome 14q32.2-q32.32. Cytogenet. Cell Genet. 73: 99-103, 1996. 2. Denney, R. M., Borgaonkar, D., Ruddle, F. H. Order of genes for NP and TRPRS on chromosome 14. Cytogenet. Cell Genet. 22: 493-497, 1978. 3. Francke, U., Denney, R. M., Ruddle, F. H. Intrachromosomal gene mapping in man: the gene for tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase maps in region q21-qter of chromosome 14. Somat. Cell Genet. 3: 381-389, 1977.