Agouti

Several common diseases such as type II diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, hyperlipidemia, and some cancers are associated with obesity. An abnormal increase in body fat relative to lean tissue mass has been used as an indicator of obesity. High fat diet, certain environmental factors, and genetic linkage are the primary causes of obesity. In order to understand the genetic basis of obesity, several monogenic murine obesity models have been characterized including obese (Ob), diabetes (db), fat (fat), agouti yellow (Ay), and tubby (tub). More recently, Tub, the human homolog of mouse Tub, TULP1 & TULP2 (for Tubby Like Proteins) and Agouti related protein (AGRP) have been cloned. The obesity associated with Ay mice may be due to ectopic expression of a secreted protein Agouti. Agouti protein (132aa in human) is normally expressed in skin. Its ubiquitous expression, such as in rare allele lethal yellow, causes yellow coat., linear growth, immune defects and obesity. Agouti is a paracrine-signaling molecule that affects pigmentation by inhibiting the melanocortin receptor 1 (MCR-1 and possibly MC2R and MC4R). Applications: Suitable for use in ELISA. Other applications not tested. Recommended Dilution: Optimal dilutions to be determined by the researcher. AA Sequence: His-Leu-Pro-Pro-Glu-Glu-Lys-Leu-Arg-Asp-Asp-Arg-Ser-Leu-Arg-Ser-Asn-Ser-Ser-Val-Asn-Leu-Leu-Asp-Val-Pro-Ser-Val-Ser-Ile-Val-Ala-Leu-Asn-Lys-Lys-Ser-Lys-Gln-Ile-NH2 Storage and Stability: Lyophilized powder may be stored at -20 degrees C. Stable for 12 months at -20 degrees C. Reconstitute with sterile PBS. Aliquot to avoid repeated freezing and thawing. Store at -20 degrees C. Reconstituted product is stable for 12 months at -20 degrees C. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap. Further dilutions can be made in assay buffer.