Description
Description: This assay employs a two-site sandwich ELISA to quantitate GFRA4 in samples. An antibody specific for GFRA4 has been pre-coated onto a microplate. Standards and samples are pipetted into the wells and any GFRA4 present is bound by the immobilized antibody. After removing any unbound substances, a biotin-conjugated antibody specific for GFRA4 is added to the wells. After washing, Streptavidin conjugated Horseradish Peroxidase (HRP) is added to the wells. Following a wash to remove any unbound avidin-enzyme reagent, a substrate solution is added to the wells and color develops in proportion to the amount of GFRA4 bound in the initial step. The color development is stopped and the intensity of the color is measured.
Overview: GFRa4 is a member of the GDNF receptor family. It is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol(GPI)-linked cell surface receptor for persephin, and mediates activation of the RET tyrosine kinase receptor. This gene is a candidate gene for RET-associated diseases. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been described for this gene. GFRalpha-4 is substantially different in sequence from all known GFRalphas, including chicken GFRalpha-4, and lacks the first cysteine-rich domain present in all previously characterized GFRalphas. At least two different GFRalpha-4 splice variants exist in rat tissues, differing at their respective COOH termini. GFRalpha-4 mRNA is expressed at low levels in different brain areas in the adult as well as in some peripheral tissues including testis and heart