Antigen Background

Thyroid Transcription Factor-1 (TTF-1) is a member of the homeodomain transcription factor family and plays a role in regulating genes expressed within the thyroid, lung and brain. These include thyroglobulin, thyroid peroxidase, Clara cell secretory protein and surfactant proteins. Human TTF-1 (38 kD) is a single polypeptide of 371 amino acids sharing 98% homology with the equivalent rat and mouse proteins. TTF-1 functions by binding to specific recognition sites in a manner that may be regulated by both the redox and phosphorylation status of the protein. In addition to its role as a tissue-specific transcriptional activator in adult organs, TTF-1 may also function in organogenesis. Gene targeting studies have shown TTF-1 to be essential for the proper development of the thyroid and lungs and abnormal expression may underline a number of congenital abnormalities.

Disclaimer

Thyroid Transcription Factor-1 is recommended for the detection of specific antigens of interest in normal and neoplastic tissues, as an adjunct to conventional histopathology using non-immunologic histochemical stains.