This technology involves the generation of several novel mouse monoclonal antibodies against a sub-domain of an MITF fragment that is cleaved during cell death.

Micropthalmia Transcription Factor (MITF) plays an important role in melanocyte development and melanoma growth. MlTF is important for embryonic development, regulating the generation of pigment cells and formation of melanomas and other tumors. MITF is made in various isoforms that may play unique roles for different organs during different developmental periods. Additionally, tissue MITF levels can serve as a molecular marker for the diagnosis of metastatic melanoma and therapeutic response.

This technology involves the generation of several novel mouse monoclonal antibodies against a sub-domain of an MITF fragment that is cleaved during cell death. Importantly, these antibodies cross-react with human MITF. The antibody was raised by immunizing mice that are incapable of producing the MITF sub- domain used as the antigen. Three (3) different "clones" of these antibodies are currently available and their corresponding hybridoma names are 6A5 (IgG1), 1D2 (IgG2a) and 3D1 (IgG2a).

Applications:

• Novel mouse monoclonal antibodies specific to a domain of MITF as research material
• Novel mouse monoclonal antibodies that cross react with human MITF

Market:

• The currently commercially available MITF monoclonal antibodies recognize a particular domain of MITF. These have been made available by several companies including Neomarkers, Abcam, Biomeda Corporation, and Calbiochem.
• This antibody reacts with a different sub-domain of MITF and cross reacts with human MITF.

Development Status:
The technology is ready for the market.

Relevant Publications Related to MITF:

1. LA Garraway, HR Widlund, MA Rubin, G Getz, AJ Berger, S Ramaswamy, R Beroukhim, DA Milner, SR Granter, J Du, C Lee, SN Wagner, C Li, TR Golub, DL Rimm, ML Meyerson, DE Fisher, WR Sellers. "Integrative genomic analyses identify MITF as a lineage survival oncogene amplified in malignant melanoma." Nature 2005 Jul 7;436(7047):117-122.
2. SR Granter, KN Weilbaecher, C Quigley, DE Fisher. "Role for microphthalmia transcription factor in the diagnosis of metastatic malignant melanoma." Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol. 2002 Mar; 10(1):47-51.

HHS Reference No. E-228-2006/0 -- Research Material

Inventors:
Dr. Heinz Arnheiter, Mr. Wenfang Liu, and Dr. Hideki Murakami (NINDS)

Licensees Sought:
The inventor is no longer accepting requests for the antibody; it will now be solely available via a Biological Material License (BML).