At Alomone Labs, we specialize in producing extracellular domain antibodies, which are antibodies specifically designed to target the external region of cell membrane proteins. Extracellular domain antibodies exhibit all behaviours and binding properties expected from an antibody but only bind to an extracellular epitope. This targeted binding makes them ideal for live-cell assays or studying cellular dynamics without disturbing cell integrity.
For each of our extracellular domain antibodies, we always give you the precise epitope sequence that the antibody recognizes. This way you can always be sure whether it fits your experiments. To further support your research, we also offer custom services, where you can have your extracellular domain antibody conjugated to a specific reporter or made in a specific solution.
Antibodies against the external region of cell membrane proteins are particularly suited for immunodetection assays in live-cell imaging and flow cytometry. These antibodies allow you to target specific cell surface antigens without the need to first permeabilize cells.
Plus, when used with photothermal stimulation, extracellular domain antibodies let you activate or inhibit cellular processes using light. This approach allows you to explore cellular signaling pathways and dynamic responses in real time.
Extracellular domain antibodies are essential to observe membrane protein dynamics. Our antibodies target the outer membrane protein epitope of ion channels and transporters or the GPCR’s extracellular loop. Binding an outer membrane epitope lets you assess protein trafficking, localization, and lateral diffusion in real time, without damaging cell integrity. Observing dynamic cellular processes in their native state offers insights into protein interactions and cellular behavior under normal physiological conditions.
To achieve clear visualization in your experiments, you can conjugate extracellular domain antibodies to fluorophores, reporter enzymes, or biotin. We offer a wide range of these antibodies against external protein epitopes on our catalog already conjugated. Additionally, our custom services provide more flexibility for your experiments – your research, your way. These services allow you to access specific reporter conjugations, place bulk orders, reserve lots, and get carrier-free versions.
Explore our catalog below to discover the right extracellular domain antibody for your research. Or contact us to create tailored solutions for your experiment.
Cat # | APR-095-F |
Host | Rabbit |
Clonality | Polyclonal |
Cat # | APR-095-F |
Host | Rabbit |
Clonality | Polyclonal |
Cat # | APR-095-F |
Host | Rabbit |
Clonality | Polyclonal |
Microglia, the resident macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS), make up approximately 10% of the CNS cell population and play a critical role in maintaining homeostasis, responding to injury and inflammation, and clearing cellular debris.
Dysregulation of microglia function has been implicated in a range of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis. Given their vital function in brain health and disease, there is a growing interest in developing tools and techniques for identifying and studying microglia.
Microglia markers are specific proteins or molecules that are expressed by microglia and that are commonly used to identify and study these cells, to distinguish microglia from other cells, and to provide insights into dysfunctional states. The use of microglia markers can also help identify changes in microglial function that occur during injury or disease.
Microglia-specific markers include surface markers, intracellular markers, and functional markers. Surface markers are proteins found on the outer membrane of microglial cells and play a crucial role in identifying and characterizing cell types, activation and functional states, and disease-related implications. Intracellular markers are located inside microglial cells and are used to investigate specific cellular processes, signaling pathways, and activation states. Functional markers are associated with specific microglial functions, including inflammatory response, neuroprotection, tissue repair, and disease-associated changes. Microglia-specific markers serve as valuable tools for research, diagnostics, and potential therapeutic interventions targeting microglial activity in neurological conditions.
A widely used technique to analyze microglia markers is immunofluorescence (IF), which allows for the visualization and localization of specific molecules within cells or tissues. IF uses fluorescently labeled antibodies to detect and target specific proteins or antigens of interest. The obtained fluorescence images can be analyzed and quantified using image analysis software. Colocalization analysis can determine the degree of overlap between different microglia-specific markers, indicating potential interactions or colocalization within cells or tissues. Fluorescence intensity measurements can provide insights into relative protein expression levels and their subcellular localization patterns.
Microglia markers play a useful role in investigating various neurological diseases. Microglia play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease, which is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. Under normal conditions, microglia can phagocytose and clear amyloid beta plaques. In Alzheimer’s disease, microglia often exhibit an impaired ability to efficiently remove these toxic protein aggregates. The dysfunction of microglia in Alzheimer’s disease is believed to be a result of the chronic inflammatory environment and dysregulated immune response, which can exacerbate neurodegeneration.
In Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of the brain, microglia impairment decreases the clearance capacity of Lewy bodies, misfolded alpha-synuclein aggregates which are the hallmark of Parkinson’s disease. Chronic neuroinflammation mediated by microglia is thought to contribute to the progression of neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease.
Microglia respond to CNS injuries, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury. Upon injury, microglia become activated and undergo morphological changes, migrating to the site of injury and releasing various factors, such as cytokines, chemokines, and reactive oxygen species, which can contribute to secondary damage and neuroinflammation after CNS injuries. Microglia also have beneficial functions in CNS injuries, such as promoting tissue repair, clearance of cellular debris, and releasing neurotrophic factors that support neuronal survival and regeneration. Modulating microglial activation and inflammatory responses is an area of active research for potential therapeutic interventions for CNS injuries.