Sponsored Content by AbcamJun 6 2019
Patients with kidney damage exhibit detectable levels of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in urine and kidney samples prior to their serum creatinine levels surpassing healthy levels.
This means NGAL can be used as a more sensitive and accurate method of diagnosing acute kidney injury (AKI).
Tools for NGAL Research
NGAL, also known as lipocalin 2, is a small molecule glycoprotein (part of the lipocalin family) that is secreted by cells following kidney injury and other stimuli. NGAL is secreted by activated neutrophils following damage to the kidneys, as the result of some diseases, both malevolent and benign, and some bacterial infections.
NGAL is seen as a promising biomarker for prognosis and diagnosis of several cancerous and inflammatory diseases, such as sepsis and AKI, because of its stability, small structure and the fact that it is secreted.
NGAL is a single protein chain protein monomer with glycosylation and a size of 25 kDa. NGAL is known to form dimers and other higher order structures, in addition to forming a stable complex with MMP-9, a proteolytic enzyme. Research conducted by Bangert et al. (2013) showed that in urine and plasma samples of patients with severe sepsis NGAL is present mostly as a monomer.
Abcam can provide a full-length recombinant version of the human monomer NGAL protein (ab188461) for use in research. Abcam’s NGAL protein is tag free, purified and can be used in ELISA-based research to improve methods of NGAL detection and quantification.
As NGAL is suddenly and strongly secreted into the urine and plasma following damage to the kidneys it is the perfect molecule with which to assess the effectiveness or nephrotoxicity of treatments. In addition to being able to supply the antigen (NGAL) for use as a control, Abcam can also provide researchers with other tools, such as ELISA kits and antibodies, for the accurate in vivo and in vitro detection of NGAL.
References
- Bangert et al (2013) The Monomer is the Major Form of NGAL in Urine and Plasma in Severe Sepsis J Am Soc Nephrol 24: 368A
- Chakraborty et al (2012) The Multifaceted Roles of Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) In Inflammation and Cancer Biochem Biophys Acta 1826(1)
About Abcam
Abcam is a global life sciences company providing highly validated antibodies and other binders and assays to the research and clinical communities to help advance the understanding of biology and causes of disease.
Abcam’s mission is to serve life scientists to help them achieve their mission faster by listening to their needs, continuously innovating and improving and by giving them the tools, data and experience they want. Abcam’s ambition is to become the most influential life science company for researchers worldwide.
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