Anti-MUC4 Antibody Picoband®

Overview

This antibody is intended for detection of MUC4 (Mucin-4) in biological samples using common immunoassay formats. It is typically selected based on target identity, species reactivity, clonality/clone information, and detection modality.

Vendor notes: Boster Bio Anti-MUC4 Antibody Picoband® catalog # PB9147. Tested in WB applications. This antibody reacts with Human, Rat. The brand Picoband indicates this is a premium antibody that guarantees superior quality, high affinity, and strong signals with minimal background in Western blot applications. Only our best-performing antibodies are designated as Picoband, ensuring unmatched performance.

Key elements and design rationale

• Antibody format: Rabbit Polyclonal Rabbit IgG
• Immunogen / epitope context: E.coli-derived human MUC4 recombinant protein (Position: M1249-D1444). Human MUC4 shares 69% and 36% amino acid (aa) sequences identity with mouse and rat MUC4, respectively. (reported region: M1249-D1444).
• Molecular weight context: reported MW: 234 kDa; calculated MW: 231518 MW
• Reactivity: Human,Rat
• Applications: WB

As a polyclonal antibody, the reagent recognizes multiple epitopes on the target, which can improve detection robustness but may increase sensitivity to sample-dependent epitope changes.

Biological background

Mucin-4; Mucin-4. Mucin 4, also known as MUC4, is a mucin protein that in humans is encoded by the MUC4 gene. Like other mucins, Mucin 4 is a high-molecular weight glycoprotein. It is mapped to 3q29. In normal functioning, Mucin 4 is known to play anti-adhesive roles in the body, such as in lubricating the reproductive lining. It is found in the respiratory tract, particularly in the trachea and lung and the digestive tract, in the esophagus and colon, as well as in the visual and auditory systems. Mucin 4 serves to protect and lubricate the epithelium, which facilitates transport and traps foreign particles. It is found to be overexpressed during the luteal phase of menstruation. Mucin 4 may also have a role in fetal morphogenic development. Functional note: May play a role in tumor progression. Ability to promote tumor growth may be mainly due to repression of apoptosis as opposed to proliferation. Has anti-adhesive properties. Seems to alter cellular behavior through both anti-adhesive effects on cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions and in its ability to act as an intramembrane ligand for ERBB2. Plays an important role in cell proliferation and differentiation of epithelial cells by inducing specific phosphorylation of ERBB2. The MUC4-ERBB2 complex causes site-specific phosphorylation of the ERBB2 'Tyr-1248'. In polarized epithelilal cells segragates ERBB2 and other ERBB receptors and prevents ERBB2 from acting as a coreceptor. The interaction with ERBB2 leads to enhanced expression of CDKN1B. The formation of a MUC4-ERBB2-ERBB3-NRG1 complex leads to down-regulation of CDKN1B, resulting in repression of apoptosis and stimulation of proliferation. . Reported localization: Membrane ; Single-pass membrane protein . Secreted . Isoforms lacking the Cys-rich region, EGF-like domains and transmembrane region are secreted. Secretion occurs by splicing or proteolytic processing. Expression/tissue context: Expressed in the thymus, thyroid, lung, trachea, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, testis, prostate, ovary, uterus, placenta, and mammary and salivary glands. Expressed in carcinomas arising from some of these epithelia, such as lung cancers, squamous cell carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract, mammary carcinomas, biliary tract, colon, and cervix cancers. Minimally or not expressed in the normal pancreas or chronic pancreatitis, but is highly expressed in pancreatic tumors and pancreatic tumor cell lines. .

Research relevance and current trends

• Cancer: Researchers commonly examine how MUC4 (Mucin-4) relates to this theme using model systems and orthogonal readouts.
• Cytoskeleton/ECM: Researchers commonly examine how MUC4 (Mucin-4) relates to this theme using model systems and orthogonal readouts.
• Defensin: Researchers commonly examine how MUC4 (Mucin-4) relates to this theme using model systems and orthogonal readouts.

Common research applications

• Western blotting: compare relative MUC4 (Mucin-4) levels across conditions; band patterns may reflect isoforms and processing.

Notes for experimental interpretation

• Specificity notes: No cross reactivity with other proteins.
• Cross-reactivity: No cross-reactivity with other proteins
• Family / similarity context: Contains 1 AMOP domain.
• Isoforms and PTMs: Apparent size and signal patterns can differ across splice isoforms, proteolytic processing, and post-translational modifications.
• Controls: Include an isotype control (as relevant), no-primary control for imaging, and orthogonal validation such as KD/KO samples when available.

Customization & Add-ons: Can’t find the antibody you need—or require a custom format for your assay? We can help you source the best match or support custom antibody solutions for diverse research needs, including species and isotype selection, conjugations and labeling (e.g., HRP/AP, biotin, fluorophores), purification grade options (Protein A/G, affinity purified), formulation preferences (buffer selection, carrier-free, glycerol-free), custom concentrations and aliquoting, low-endotoxin options for cell-based work, and application-focused QC/validation support (project dependent). Click Talk to a Scientist to submit a request, email us at support@biohippo.com, or explore our Research Services for additional support—our team will follow up with feasibility details and next steps.