Background
The epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), also known as CD326, is a 40 kD glycoprotein that is expressed at the basolateral cell membrane of simple, pseudo-stratified and transitional epithelia of normal adult tissues. EpCAM is reported to function as a homotypic calcium-independent cell adhesion molecule but studies suggest that EpCAM is also involved in cellular processes such as cell signalling, migration, proliferation and differentiation. In humans, EpCAM is overexpressed in a wide range of epithelial carcinomas including lung, colorectal, breast, prostate, head and neck, and hepatic carcinomas. The EpCAM molecule has, therefore, been widely used as a diagnostic marker for human carcinomas and has been considered as a potential target for immunotherapy. EpCAM is also present on exosomes, microvesicles that are abundantly secreted by tumor cells, and antibodies to EpCAM are widely used for the isolation and identification of these cancer derived exosomes. Apart from EpCAM's role in cancer syndromes, homozygous mutations in the EpCAM gene have been identified in patients suffering from congenital tufting enteropathy, a rare autosomal recessive form of intractable diarrhea of infancy. In addition, EpCAM expression may be causally related to maintaining stem cells, and therefore will be a valuable target for future avenues to generate human induced pluripotent stem cells In rats, EpCAM (also known as the Gz-1 antigen) is differentially expressed during embryogenesis, from the fertilized rat oocyte to all subsequently arising epithelial structures, suggesting a role for EpCAM in the proliferation and differentiation of embryonic stems cells.

Source
GZ-20 is a mouse monoclonal IgG1 antibody derived by fusion of P3-NS1/1-Ag4-1 mouse myeloma cells with splenocytes from a BALB/c mouse immunized with cells derived from the basolateral membrane of rat small intestine.

Product
Each vial contains 100µg 1mg/ml purified monoclonal antibody in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) containing 0.09% sodium azide.

Formulation: Each vial contains 100µg 1mg/ml purified monoclonal antibody in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) containing 0.09% sodium azide.

Specificity
The antibody GZ-20 is directed against rat EpCAM and recognises an epitope that is distinct from the epitope recognised by the GZ-1 antibody. The GZ-20 antibody does not cross react with human EpCAM.

Species Reactivity: Does not react with human

Applications
The GZ-20 antibody is suitable for the detection of rat EpCAM by western blotting, immunoprecipitation, immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry. The antibody is also suitable for the detection of rat EpCAM by immunohistochemistry on frozen (acetone fixation for 10 minutes at -20oC) and paraffin embedded tissues. Optimal antibody dilutions for the different applications should be determined by titration.

Storage
The antibody is shipped at ambient temperature and may be stored at +4°C. For prolonged storage prepare appropriate aliquots and store at or below -20°C. Prior to use, an aliquot is thawed slowly in the dark at ambient temperature, spun down again and used to prepare working dilutions by adding sterile phosphate buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.2). Repeated thawing and freezing should be avoided. Working dilutions should be stored at +4°C, not refrozen, and preferably used the same day. If a slight precipitation occurs upon storage, this should be removed by centrifugation. It will not affect the performance or the concentration of the product.

Caution
This product is intended FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY, and FOR TESTS IN VITRO, not for use in diagnostic or therapeutic procedures involving humans or animals. It may contain hazardous ingredients. Please refer to the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for additional information and proper handling procedures. Dispose product remainders according to local regulations.This datasheet is as accurate as reasonably achievable, but Exalpha Biologicals accepts no liability for any inaccuracies or omissions in this information.

References
1. Schiechl H, Dohr G.1987. Immunohistochemical studies of the distribution of a basolateral-membrane protein in intestinal epithelial cells (GZ1-Ag) in rats using monoclonal antibodies. Histochemistry. 87:491-8. 2. 2. Tarmann T, Dohr G, Schiechl H, Barth S, Hartmann M. 1990. Immunohistochemical detection of an epithelial membrane protein in rat embryos at different stages of development. Acta Anat. 137:141-5.

Protein Reference(s)

Database Name: UniProt

Accession Number: UniProt: O55159 (Rat)

Species Accession: Rat

Safety Datasheet(s) for this product:
EA_Sodium Azide