Alexa Fluor® 568 Anti-Calnexin antibody [EPR3633(2)] - ER Membrane Marker

Supplementary info

This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.

Activity summary

Calnexin also known as Canx is a type I integral membrane protein of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) involved in the process of protein folding. This chaperone protein has an approximate molecular weight of 90 kDa and is known for its role in the quality control of glycoproteins. Calnexin is expressed in the ER of cells where it interacts with nascent polypeptides to ensure proper folding and assembly contributing to cellular homeostasis. It exhibits its function through its lectin-like domain that binds to sugar moieties on glycoproteins.

Biological function summary

Calnexin facilitates the proper folding of newly synthesized proteins by forming a complex with another chaperone protein called ERp57. This interaction helps in creating the correct disulfide bonds in glycoproteins which is essential for their stability and functionality. The complex often referred to as the calnexin cycle is critical in preventing the aggregation and misfolding of proteins within the ER. This process ensures that only correctly folded proteins proceed to the Golgi apparatus for further processing and transport.

Pathways

Calnexin plays an important role in the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) pathway and the unfolded protein response (UPR). In these pathways calnexin ensures that misfolded proteins are retained in the ER or targeted for degradation preventing cellular stress. Calnexin is associated with proteins such as calreticulin another chaperone protein with a similar function in the ER. Together they maintain proteostasis within cells and protect against the accumulation of improperly folded proteins.

Associated diseases and disorders

Calnexin is linked to several conditions including cystic fibrosis and certain neurodegenerative diseases. In cystic fibrosis the misfolding and subsequent degradation of the CFTR protein are associated with calnexin's role in the ERAD pathway. Similarly in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disrupted protein folding and aggregation are linked to ER stress where calnexin and other chaperone proteins like BiP play a pivotal role in managing protein misfolding. Understanding calnexin's role in these disorders can contribute to developing strategies to mitigate faulty protein folding and its pathological consequences.