Organelle Markers

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a eukaryotic membranous organelle consisting of flattened, connected sacs (cisternae) that is responsible for synthesis of membrane and secretory proteins and their subsequent proper folding and posttranslational decoration. It can be divided into two distinct types: rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER). The RER is studded with ribosomes to synthesize membrane and secreted proteins and has some continuity with the nuclear membrane lumen. No ribosomes are associated with the SER, which is involved in lipid metabolism. Soluble proteins are transported from the ER to the Golgi apparatus by way of vesicles for further modification, and are subsequently released from the Golgi in vesicles destined to fuse with the cell membrane. ER quality control mechanisms are triggered when accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins is detected by various sensors, including PERK, IRE1, and ATF6. ER stress is associated with a variety of conditions including cancer, diabetes, inflammatory diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders.

GeneTex is proud to offer an outstanding selection of antibodies for endoplasmic reticulum research. These antibodies are validated for various applications and are an important component of our reagent catalog supporting studies of organelle proteins. Please see the highlighted products below.

Mitochondria are dual-membrane organelles essential for the production of >90% of the metabolic energy in the eukaryotic cell. Their structural features include inner and outer membranes that bound an intermembrane space. The inner membrane is arranged into folds called cristae, which reach into the central matrix. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been linked to such natural processes as aging in addition to being a key factor in a plethora of neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, metabolic, autoimmune, and neoplastic pathologies that plague humans. GeneTex proudly offers a selection of high quality mitochondrial markers.

The term “extracellular vesicle” refers to a highly diverse group of membrane-derived, cargo-bearing (e.g., proteins, lipids, nucleic acids) structures that represent an important mode of intercellular communication. Based on the type of membrane from which they originate, extracellular vesicles have been divided into two broad groups: exosomes (derived from inward budding of endosomal membranes in larger structures known as multi-vesicular endosomes (MVEs)) and microvesicles (generated from outward budding of the plasma membrane).

While much is known about microvesicles and exosomes, key aspects of their biogenesis, cargo, release from cells, and targeting to recipient cells remain unclear. Complicating this research is that many features of extracellular vesicles are influenced by cell-type, stimuli from normal or pathological milieus, and the physiological state of the cell. Nevertheless, they are involved in many processes that include coagulation, immune function, and tumorigenesis. Since they are found in biological fluids, there is intense research directed at potentially using extracellular vesicles as biomarkers. Other efforts are being directed at utilizing them to carry compounds or to invoke particular responses in target cells.

GeneTex is proud to offer a set of well-validated antibodies to facilitate your exosome & microvesicle research in various applications and species. See below for the highlighted antibodies.