The ACSL4 (Acyl-CoA Synthetase Long-Chain Family Member 4) antibody is a tool used to detect and study the ACSL4 protein, a key enzyme in lipid metabolism. ACSL4 catalyzes the activation of long-chain fatty acids into acyl-CoA esters, which are critical for lipid biosynthesis, membrane remodeling, and signaling. It shows substrate preference for arachidonic acid and other polyunsaturated fatty acids, linking it to pathways involving inflammation, ferroptosis (a regulated cell death mechanism), and cancer progression.
ACSL4 is implicated in various diseases, including cancers (e.g., breast, liver, prostate), where its overexpression often correlates with tumor aggressiveness and poor prognosis. It also plays a role in neurodevelopmental disorders like X-linked intellectual disability. The antibody is widely used in techniques such as Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence to assess ACSL4 expression levels, localization, and interactions in cellular and tissue samples.
Recent studies highlight ACSL4's involvement in ferroptosis regulation, making its antibody a vital reagent for investigating therapeutic strategies targeting cell death pathways. Researchers utilize it to explore ACSL4's functional domains, isoforms, and post-translational modifications, aiding in the development of biomarkers or targeted therapies. Validation of antibody specificity remains crucial due to homology within the ACSL family.