The ELOVL1 (Elongation of Very Long Chain Fatty Acids-Like 1) antibody is a key tool for studying the ELOVL1 enzyme, a member of the ELOVL family responsible for elongating saturated and monounsaturated very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs, C22–C36). ELOVL1 catalyzes the rate-limiting step in fatty acid elongation, critical for synthesizing lipids essential for skin barrier formation, neuronal function, and cellular membrane integrity. Dysregulation of ELOVL1 is linked to disorders like ichthyosis, neurodegeneration, and metabolic syndromes.
Research using ELOVL1 antibodies focuses on its role in lipid metabolism, epidermal homeostasis, and disease mechanisms. For instance, ELOVL1 mutations are associated with autosomal recessive neuro-ichthyotic syndromes, while its overexpression in cancer models suggests involvement in tumor cell survival via lipid remodeling. The antibody is widely used in techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence to detect protein expression, localization, and tissue-specific distribution.
Commercial ELOVL1 antibodies are typically raised against peptide sequences unique to the human ELOVL1 protein, ensuring specificity. Validation includes knockdown controls and comparison with ELOVL family paralogs (e.g., ELOVL4. ELOVL5) to confirm cross-reactivity absence. Recent studies also explore its potential as a biomarker or therapeutic target in skin diseases and cancers, underscoring its biomedical relevance. Proper antibody validation remains crucial due to shared structural domains among ELOVL enzymes.