Mouse Monoclonal NANOG Antibody

NANOG antibodies are essential tools in stem cell and cancer research, targeting the NANOG protein, a key transcription factor critical for maintaining pluripotency in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The NANOG gene, named after the Celtic myth *Tír na nÓg* ("Land of Youth"), encodes a homeodomain-containing protein that functions within the core regulatory network alongside OCT4 and SOX2 to sustain self-renewal and suppress differentiation. Initially identified in mice, human NANOG exists as multiple isoforms due to alternative splicing and retrogene duplication, complicating its study. Antibodies against NANOG enable researchers to detect its expression and localization via techniques like immunofluorescence, Western blotting, and flow cytometry, aiding in pluripotency assessment during reprogramming or differentiation experiments. In cancer biology, NANOG is implicated in tumorigenesis, metastasis, and therapy resistance, with its overexpression linked to poor prognosis in various cancers. However, antibody specificity remains a challenge due to cross-reactivity with pseudogenes or paralogs. Validated NANOG antibodies are crucial for elucidating its dual roles in pluripotency and oncogenesis, advancing applications in regenerative medicine and cancer therapeutics. Researchers must select antibodies validated for specific isoforms and experimental contexts to ensure reliable results.