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- Table of Contents
Facts about Agrin.
The activation of MUSK in myotubes induces the formation of NMJ by regulating different procedures including the transcription of certain genes and the clustering of AChR in the postsynaptic membrane. Calcium ions are required for maximum AChR clustering.
Mouse | |
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Gene Name: | Agrn |
Uniprot: | A2ASQ1 |
Entrez: | 11603 |
Belongs to: |
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No superfamily |
agrin proteoglycan; Agrin; AGRN
Mass (kDA):
207.539 kDA
Mouse | |
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Location: | 4 E2|4 88.55 cM |
Sequence: | 4; |
Expressed in central nervous system (CNS) synapses such as in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Localizes to basal lamina of hippocampal blood vessels. Both (z+) and (z-) isoforms found in kidney, heart and cerebral vasculature.
A brief biography of Steven Boster will give you an idea of the man behind this innovative technology. Steven Boster developed his first product in 1993, earning the nickname of "the guy who turns science in the lavatory." From there, he went on to develop several products for IHC. Over the years, he developed hundreds of primary antibodies and was the largest antibody catalog company in China by the late 90s. Boster then developed his own proprietary ELISA platform, PicoKine(tm), to deliver high sensitivity ELISA kits.
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a popular ancillary testing technique in anatomic surgical pathology that uses antibodies against specific antigens to detect cancer cell types and their organs of origin. The technique can be performed on a variety of tissue types, including paraffin-fixed and plastic-embedded tissues. It can also be used to identify biomarkers that are predictive or prognostic of various malignancies.
Using the AGRN marker, an IHC protocol is possible to detect the antigens of several infectious agents. The antigen detection provides etiologic significance and may be correlated with the histopathologic changes that accompany the disease. It may also be used to confirm a microorganism detected by another method. In the present study, we are able to detect two distinct antigens in one tissue sample using a single IHC protocol.
When detecting the presence of the AGRN marker in tumors of unknown primary, an IHC protocol can differentiate between benign and malignant melanoma. A majority of colorectal cancers express the GPA33 marker, which codes for a membranous protein. These two markers are excellent for colorectal cancer detection. In fact, they have been used to identify CRC in more than 170 patients, making it one of the most accurate methods of tumor identification in the United States.
For IHC, tissue samples may come from different sources. For example, tissues taken from surgery, biopsy, or an animal model can be used. Autopsy, on the other hand, involves a specimen that has been dead for two hours. After this time, the specimen is more of a postmortem autolysis. Therefore, the specimen must be fixed as soon as possible to avoid denatured antigens.
The IHC workflow using the AGRN marker can be enhanced by the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision. These methods are increasingly applicable in diagnostic practices due to their ability to utilize data on individual markers and refine their use. With the growing number of markers and more complex tissue samples, AI algorithms will become more important. These tools are also useful in the refinement of IHC-related processes, such as tissue processing and staining, and can be implemented into routine lab practice.
Currently, several different IHC methods are available. The choice of the best one depends on the specimen type and assay sensitivity. The sample preparation also plays a major role in IHC because the quality of the tissue samples determines the exhibition of antigens. To optimize sample quality, follow the recommended procedure for preparing the tissue sample. The following are several factors to consider when choosing an IHC workflow. Let's look at the most important considerations.
First, you will need fresh tissue samples. Fresh tissues can be obtained from biopsy, surgery, and animal models. The autopsy specimen is typically obtained after the animal has been dead for about 2 hours. However, the antigens may have denatured by then, so it is essential to fix it as soon as possible. The protein VEZF was detected in human brain tissue. It is not yet known which specific antigens may be present in brain tissue.
Detection of cytokeratin 18 antigens is important in the diagnosis of various diseases. It can confirm the presence of an infectious agent and confirm a microorganism identified through other methods. The results of these tests can also be correlated to histopathologic changes. In the case of cancer, IHC can identify antigens of a particular gene, thereby providing a diagnosis.
AI-aided detection of IHC markers is increasingly becoming a common practice. This technology helps overcome the limitations of pathologists and automates the process. It allows researchers to acquire high-quality multiplex images and refine classification systems using a single sample. Its capabilities will also allow researchers to study the localisation of proteins and their co-localisations. It is also possible to obtain multiplexed IHC images.
A new generation of specialized IHC infographics have emerged, highlighting the salient features of diseases and the relationships between their basic elements. Infographics are hand-drawn schematic images placed on PowerPoint slides. They cover different aspects of general and surgical pathology, following a comprehensive diagnostic approach. Each one provides different levels of information and is geared towards specific diagnostic problem solving skills. These images shed light on the diagnostic criteria, differentials, and predictive/prognostic markers.
IHC infographics present multiple tumor markers to illustrate different morphological features. They highlight new therapeutic targets and predict therapeutic response. These images are ideal for presentation and media outreach. They also serve as a quick, comprehensive overview of one topic. The infographics are meant to make complex concepts easy to understand. The illustrations in IHC infographics are based on standardized data published by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
Information graphics reproduce traditional methods of teaching in pathology and help trainees and practicing pathologists understand complex subject matter. They can be customized for different audiences and minimize the problems associated with conventional learning systems. Besides, digitalization has given a new lease of life to a proven teaching method. Infographics can be distributed globally on social media platforms and are highly suitable for medical education. The goal of this study is to describe a conceptual model of infographic ideation, processing, and translation.
Because IHC reveals more than a standard biopsy test, IHC allows pathologists to determine which cancer subtypes a patient may have. Antibodies, which are proteins found on cells, identify these markers. The antibodies recognize these proteins by binding to the antigens. There are over 400 unique antibodies used in IHC tests. A colored dye in the biopsy sample indicates the type of cell present. It also helps to differentiate between cancer and benign cells.
PMID: 8653787 by Glass D.J., et al. Agrin acts via a MuSK receptor complex.
PMID: 9188458 by Smith M.A., et al. Selective regulation of agrin mRNA induction and alternative splicing in PC12 cells by Ras-dependent actions of nerve growth factor.