ChIP Antibodies

Chromatin Immunoprecipitation, abbreviated ChIp, is a procedure used to determine if a protein will bind to a specific DNA sequence. The process involves crosslinking DNA-binding proteins to DNA with formaldehyde in vivo. The chormatin is then isolated and the DNA along with the bound proteins is sheared into small fragments. Antibodies specific to the DNA-binding protein are bound to the small DNA-protein fragments. This antibody-DNA-protein complex is isolated by precipitation and the bond between the antibody and DNA-protein fragments is released. A PCR, or polymerase chain reaction, is used to amplify the specific DNA sequence in order to see if they were precipitated with the antibody. ChIP antibodies are used to capture the DNA/protein complex. There are different antibody preparations that have unique properties when it comes to chromatin immunoprecipitation. This difference is mainly due to the chromatin structure.

Anti-AIRE antibody ChIP grade binds against AIRE protein. AIRE is a transcriptional regulator that binds to DNA (nucleosomes and histones). AIRE is a transcriptional activator that promotes the expression of tissue specific antigens in the thymus and also as a sensor of histone H3 modifications that are vital for the epigenetic regulation of gene expressions. AIRE is expressed in many different tissues like the thymus, pancreas, adrenal cortex, spleen, liver, lymph nodes and testis. AIRE is located in the cytoplasm and nucleus of cells. AIRE is involved in autoimmune poly-endocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy (autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1). Plyglandular autoimmune syndromes are characterized by multiple endocrine gland insufficiencies. Type 1 autoimmune polyglandular syndrome, is an inherited condition which causes affected individuals to suffer from mucocutaneous candidiasis (a fungal infection or the skin and mucous membranes), hypoparathyroidism (malfunction of the parathyroid glands), and Addison disease. Anti-BCOR antibody binds against a target that acts as a transcriptional corepressor. BCOR is found in the nucleus of many cells in the body. Defects isnBCOR cause microphthalmia syndromic type 2.Microphthalmia syndromic is a rare X-linked heterogeneous disorder characterized by poor eye formation. Affected individuals may have one eye smaller than the other, complete bilateral absence of any ocular tissues, facial abnormalities, cardiac anomalies, and dental abnormalities.