Generation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to NIAM: a nuclear interactor of ARF and Mdm2.

Nuclear interactor of ARF and Mdm2 (NIAM) is a newly discovered growth inhibitor that helps maintain chromosomal stability. It is functionally linked to the ARF-Mdm2-p53 tumor suppressor pathway and is predicted to be a tumor suppressor, but the lack of antibodies capable of detecting the endogenous human protein has delayed efforts to define its role in human tumorigenesis. This study reports the development, screening, and characterization of several monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that specifically recognize endogenous human NIAM protein by Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. These MAbs are predicted to be important tools for evaluating the expression and physiological function of NIAM in normal versus neoplastic human cells and tissues.