The fly Drosophila melanogaster is one of the most intensively studied organisms in biology and serves as a model system for the investigation of many developmental and cellular processes such as, translation of mRNA which is common to higher eukaryotes, including humans. Translation is divided into three phases: initiation, elongation, and termination (1). Early in the initiation phase, mRNA is recruited to the ribosomes primarily by eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) which is a cap binding protein. eIF4E recognizes and binds to the 5’,7-methylguanosine-containing mRNA cap early in initiation phase and this leads to recruitment of mRNA to the ribosomes and subsequent initiation of protein synthesis (2). To date, three different family members of eIF4E have been recognized in mammals, they are: eIF4E-1, eIF4E-2 and eIF4E-3. eIF4E-1 is found in all eukaryotes while eIF4E-2 and eIF4E-3 are found only in metazoans and chordates, respectively (3).

The activity of eIF4E proteins is regulated by eIF4E-binding proteins which suppress the activity of eIF4E proteins (4). Once activated, eIF4E-3 has been shown to inhibit the activity of eIF4E-1 protein. It is also known to interact with initiation factor eIF4G (3). eIF4E proteins are implicated in controlling growth of cancer through the P13K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, via the phosphorylation of eIF4E-bindnig proteins (5). Once eIF4E-binding proteins are phosphorylated, they can no longer interact with eIF4E proteins and hence are not able to limit the expression of eIF4E proteins in cells. eIF4E proteins are not as abundant in mammalian cells as other initiating factors and any overexpression of these proteins has been shown to transform normal cells into to cancer cells (5). eIF4E-3 is expressed in heart, skeletal muscle, lungs and spleen. It is approximately a 30kDa protein (244 amino acids).

The eIF4E3 antibodies were generated using peptide corresponding to N-terminal and C-terminal of Fruit Fly eIF4E3 protein. eIF4E3 antibodies are affinity purified over immobilized antigen based affinity chromatography, and the purified immunoglobulins are stabilized in antibody stabilization buffer. FabGennix Int. Inc. will provide limited quantities of antigenic blocking protein for competition assays involving eIF4E3 antibodies. Antibodies to eIF4E3 (eIF4E3-301AP and eIF4E3-312AP) will label ~30kDa protein in Western blot positive control for eIF4E3 (PC-eIF4E3) and several other tissues.  FabGennix Inc. will conjugate this and other antibodies from its catalog to either secondary enzymes (alk-Pase or HRP) or fluorescent probes at a nominal cost upon request.  FabGennix also provides custom antibody production services for researchers that are looking for high affinity mono and polyclonal antibodies in various species. We specialize in making application specific antibodies that are useful in IHC, confocal and other applications where native antigen is detected. For a complete listing of all FabGennix antibodies please visit www.Fabgennix.com.  

For research use only, not for diagnostic or therapeutic use.