BRCA2 monoclonal antibodies react with differentiating epithelium.
The BRCA2 gene has previously been suggested to play a role in proliferation and DNA repair. Germline mutations in the BRCA2 gene predispose individuals to early onset, hereditary breast cancer. To better understand the expression pattern and function of the BRCA2 gene product, we have developed immunological reagents specific for BRCA2. These reagents recognize full-length (384 kDa) recombinant human BRCA2 proteins in transfected cell lysates as well as multiple smaller recombinant BRCA2 polypeptides. Detection of native BRCA2 protein in most tissue types, including breast epithelium, requires sensitive techniques such as immunoprecipitation-Western blot analysis. However, we have demonstrated strong reactivity of our immunological reagents with differentiating epithelium, including epidermis, thymic epithelium, and squamous cell carcinoma. These data suggest that BRCA2 may play a role in processes associated with cellular differentiation, in addition to its previously suggested roles in proliferation and DNA repair.
Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Lisa K
LK
Gilliam
Edward K
EK
Lobenhofer
Paula K
PK
Greer
Richard M
RM
Scearce
Frank D
FD
Cirisano
Jeffrey R
JR
Marks
Laura P
LP
Hale
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D024682:BRCA2 Protein / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D001940:Breast / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D024682:BRCA2 Protein; D011994:Recombinant Proteins