The MSH6 antibody is a crucial tool in studying DNA mismatch repair (MMR) mechanisms and related pathologies. MSH6. a protein encoded by the *MSH6* gene, forms a heterodimer with MSH2 to create the MutSα complex, which recognizes base-pair mismatches and small insertion/deletion loops during DNA replication. Defects in MSH6 are strongly associated with Lynch syndrome (hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer) and sporadic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) cancers, particularly colorectal, endometrial, and gastric cancers.
In diagnostic pathology, MSH6 antibodies are widely used in immunohistochemistry (IHC) to assess MMR protein expression. Loss of MSH6 nuclear staining, either alone or combined with MSH2 loss, helps identify MMR-deficient tumors, guiding clinical management and genetic testing for hereditary cancer syndromes. Research applications include investigating MMR function, studying mutagenesis mechanisms, and exploring therapeutic targets for MSI-H cancers.
Commercially available MSH6 antibodies target specific epitopes, with validation in IHC, western blotting, and immunofluorescence. Interpretation requires caution, as abnormal staining patterns may reflect somatic mutations, epigenetic silencing, or technical artifacts. Combined with MLH1. PMS2. and MSH2 testing, MSH6 analysis enhances precision in classifying MMR status, informing prognosis, and predicting responses to immunotherapy like PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. Its role in maintaining genomic integrity makes MSH6 a key biomarker in oncogenesis and precision medicine.