Anti-MERVL-Gag Antibody, clone A2

Zygotic genome activation (ZGA) is a critical postfertilization step that promotes totipotency and allows different cell fates to emerge in the developing embryo. Dux (also known as Duxf3) in mouse and its human homologue DUX4 are double-homeodomain genes that are activated at the onset of ZGA in early embryos. Recent studies in 2-cell like embryonic stem cells (2C-like cells) suggest that transcription factors of the DUX family are key regulators of ZGA in placental mammals. MERVL (murine endogenous retrovirus-L) is transiently upregulated at the two-cell stage during ZGA and after the 2-cell stage, the expression of MERVL-retroelement is silenced and It has been found that this regulated pattern of MERVL expression overlapped with more than one hundred 2C-specific genes that have co-opted regulatory elements from these foreign retroviruses to begin their transcription. Although, MERVL expression is widely used as a marker of totipotency, the role of this retrotransposon in mouse embryogenesis remains elusive. Studies show that full-length MERVL transcripts, but not encoded retroviral proteins, are essential for accurate regulation of the host transcriptome and chromatin state during preimplantation development. Both knockdown and CRISPRi-based repression of MERVL result in embryonic lethality due to defects in differentiation and genomic stability. Furthermore, transcriptome and epigenome analysis has revealed that loss of MERVL transcripts led to retention of an accessible chromatin state at, and aberrant expression of, a subset of two-cell-specific genes. Gag or group-specific antigen is a polyprotein (UniProt: V9H130) and is encoded by the gag gene in mouse. It contains the core structural proteins of an Ortervirus and is believed to be antigenic. Studies suggest that this endogenous retrovirus plays a key role in regulating host cell fate potential (Ref.: Li, T.D., et al. (2022). Sci Adv. 8(47):eabq3806. (PMID: 36417507). ; Sakashita, A., et al. (2023). Nat Genet. 55(3):484-495.

GST-tagged, fragment recombinant from mouse Gag polyprotein corresponding to 200 amino acids from the N-terminal half of mouse MERVL-gag protein.

Quality Control Testing

Evaluated by Western Blotting in lysates from mESCs transiently over-expressing Duxf3.

Western Blotting Analysis: A 1:500 dilution of this antibody detected MERVL-Gag in lysates from mESCs transiently over-expressing Duxf3.

Tested Applications

Western Blotting Analysis: A representative lot detected MERVL-GAG in Western Blotting application (Li, T.D., et al. (2022). Sci Adv. 8(47):eabq3806; Sakashita, A., et al. (2023). Nat Genet. 55(3):484-495).

Note: Actual optimal working dilutions must be determined by end user as specimens, and experimental conditions may vary with the end user.

Clone A2 is a mouse monoclonal antibody that specifically detects MERVL-Gag protein. It targets an epitope within 200 amino acids from the N-terminal half.

Purified mouse monoclonal antibody IgG2a in buffer containing 0.1 M Tris-Glycine (pH 7.4), 150 mM NaCl with 0.05% sodium azide.

0.5 mg/mL. Please refer to guidance on suggested starting dilutions and/or titers per application and sample type.

Recommended storage: +2°C to +8°C.

Concentration: Please refer to the Certificate of Analysis for the lot-specific concentration.

Unless otherwise stated in our catalog or other company documentation accompanying the product(s), our products are intended for research use only and are not to be used for any other purpose, which includes but is not limited to, unauthorized commercial uses, in vitro diagnostic uses, ex vivo or in vivo therapeutic uses or any type of consumption or application to humans or animals.