THE LINK

News and updates from the polyclonal antibody specialists.

APRIL 2012

Methylation and Memory Formation

Contributed by David L. Molfese, Ph.D.
The methylation of DNA and histones is a dynamic process catalyzed by a family of enzymes called DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs). In vertebrates, 60-90% of cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) DNA sites are methylated (1), indicating the importance of this mechanism to the cell. DNA methylation plays a major role in the regulation of gene expression by silencing genes through conversion of cytosine to 5-methylcytosine (2, 3). This conversion interferes with RNA polymerase initiation (4). The methylation of DNA and histone proteins has (Max Planck Institute for Information) been implicated in learning and memory, addiction, and depression. For example, in the hippocampus, DNA methylation is dynamically regulated during contextual fear conditioning in rats and mice, where blocking DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) inhibits memory formation (5). Additionally, DNA methylation plays a role in synaptic plasticity. In field electrophysiology experiments, blocking DNMTs with Zebularine or 5-aza-2deoxycytidine impairs induction of long-term potentiation at Schaffer collateral synapses (6).
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Christoph Bock

Pre-qualified Antibodies for PLA

The Proximity Ligation Assay (PLA ), which uses antibodies conjugated to oligonucleotides, allows visualization of proteins or protein interactions in cells or tissues. The assay is very robust, but is reliant on the availability of high quality antibodies. Bethyl is working to qualify our antibodies for PLA, with new pairs released every month. Shown below are examples of the results you can obtain when choosing to use our antibodies for performing PLA in cell-based assays.

A Body

of Work

Stay up-to-date with current industry information by reading this months featured article. Combinatorial patterning of chromatin regulators uncovered by genome-wide location analysis in human cells. Oren Ram, Alon Goren, Ido Amit, Noam Shoresh, Nir Yosef, Jason Ernst, Manolis Kellis, Melissa Gymrek, Robbyn Issner, Michael Coyne, Timothy Durham, Xiaolan Zhang, Julie Donaghey, Charles B. Epstein, Aviv Regev, Bradley E. Bernstein
View Abstract
CBX2, CBX8, CHD1, CHD4/Mi2, CHD7, HDAC2, HDAC6, JARID1C, JMJD2A, LSD1, NCoR, P300, PCAF, PHF8, RBBP5, RNF2/RING1B

Pre-qualified Bethyl antibodies to perform the primary-conjugate PLA

A Beacon

of Trust
Primary-conjugate Duolink In Situ PLA

View Pre-Qualified Antibody Pairs

Our new Bethyl Laboratories Seal certifies that our antibodies are 100% manufactured and qualified to the highest standards at our sole facility in Texas.

Pre-qualified Bethyl antibodies to perform the secondary-conjugate PLA

Come See Us
Experimental Biology 2012

April 22nd 24th

San Diego Convention Center San Diego, California Booth #1538

Immunology 2012

Advancing

Your Body

of Work .

May 5th 7th

Secondary-conjugate Duolink In Situ PLA

Hynes Convention Center Boston, Massachusetts Booth #1235 Stop by one of our booths to receive a FREE t-shirt*
*While supplies last.

View Pre-Qualified Antibody Pairs

We are committed to providing you timely information and always welcome your feedback. If there is a topic of interest you have in mind, please email us at info@bethyl.com. Some of our products include: Polyclonal and Monoclonal antibodies | Secondary antibodies and conjugates Duolink In Situ (PLA ) products and pre-qualified antibodies | ELISA kits Custom Antibody Service | ReliaBLOT western blot gels, buffers and reagents P.O. Box 850 | Montgomery, Texas 77356 | 800.338.9579 | bethyl.com