Sigma-Aldrich introduces signal transduction protein array
high-throughput functional screening, which is set to play a major
role in identifying proteins that are involved in cellular
processes including proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis.
It's the latest addition to Sigma-Aldrich's array portfolio for proteomic research that includes the functional protein, antibody, tissue extract arrays as well as its PEPscreen Custom Peptide Libraries.
Microarray technology has become a central proteomics research tool. By accelerating protein profile studies to detect proteins, monitor expression levels, or investigate protein interactions and functions, protein microarray technology enables efficient and sensitive protein analysis in a high throughput platform.
This array employs a fusion tag that has been shown to confer protein functionality and serves to select, tether and uniformly orientate proteins on a streptavidin-coated glass slide.
The advantage of this is that it allows proteins to behave in a sterically unencumbered manner, increasing the potential for acquiring data that is more closely representative of native physiological states.
"With a multiplex assay format, the researcher is empowered to recognise signalling transduction in disease states and to characterise specific proteins involved in the intricate cascade of events that follow," said Richard Pembrey, market segment manager, Functional Proteomics.
"With the first commercially-available array specifically targeting signal transduction, researchers can study the function of key protein families by performing parallel assays for selectivity with other proteins, antibodies, peptides, kinases and drug candidates," he added.
Signal transduction describes cellular response to external or internal stimuli and often results in fundamental cellular changes such as regulating gene expression or controlling cell proliferation.
The Signal Transduction array was developed in conjunction with Procognia and licensed through Sigma-Aldrich.
Further details of the protein-based array technology, including antibody and tissue extract microarrays, can be viewed >here.
