Polyclonal Antibody to COX2

Background
Principal Names: Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 Official Gene Symbol: Ptgs2 Gene ID: 29527 (Rat) Gene Map Locus: 13q21 (Rat). The cyclo-oxygenase (Cox) enzyme catalyses the oxidation of arachidonic acid into prostaglandin H2. The enzyme is encoded by two related genes, Cox-l and Cox-2. The Cox-1 gene is constitutively and ubiquitously expressed, while the Cox-2 gene is only expressed at high levels upon induction by growth factors, cytokines and extracellular stimuli associated with cell activation. Many cell types associated with inflammation, such as monocytes, endothelial cells and fibroblasts, express the Cox2 gene upon induction. Besides there is evidence that it is expressed constitutively, however, the expression is usually low under physiological conditions. It has a role as a major mediator of inflammation and a role for prostanoid signaling in activity-dependent plasticity. It is expressed throughout the forebrain in discrete populations of neurons and is enriched in the cortex and hippocampus.

Antigen
Recombinant protein corresponding to c-terminus of rat COX2.

Application Notes
We suggest an incubation period of 30 minutes at room temperature. However, depending upon the fixation conditions and the staining system employed, optimal incubation conditions should be determined by the user. Formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue sections require high temperature antigen unmasking with 10 mM citrate buffer, pH 6.0 prior to immunostaining. Specificity: This antibody reacts with a 70 kD protein. COX2 (Cyclooxygenase-2) is an inducible enzyme. It is involved in the response of cells to growth factors, tumor promoters and cytokines that induce its expression. COX2 expression markedly increased in 85-90% of human colorectal adenocarcinoma whereas COX1 levels remain unchanged. This antibody cross reacts with mouse and rat. Cellular Localization: Cytoplasmic, membrane.

Genebank Info (Protein)
NP_000954

Reference
1. Susan et al. Biochem J 302, 723, 1994.
2. Yamagata et al. Neurom 2: 371, 1993.
3. Baber et al. Circulation 108: 896,2003.