The RPL18A antibody is a crucial tool in molecular biology research, targeting the ribosomal protein L18a encoded by the RPL18A gene. As a component of the 60S ribosomal subunit, RPL18A plays a vital role in protein synthesis by facilitating rRNA binding and ribosome assembly. This conserved protein is ubiquitously expressed across tissues, reflecting its fundamental role in cellular metabolism. Researchers employ RPL18A antibodies primarily to study ribosome biogenesis, translation regulation, and cellular stress responses through techniques like Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. Its expression patterns are particularly relevant in cancer studies, as ribosomal proteins are often dysregulated in tumors. The antibody also serves as a loading control in protein expression analyses due to its stable cellular levels. Recent studies link RPL18A mutations to developmental disorders, expanding its research applications to genetic diseases. Validated for specificity across human and model organisms, these antibodies enable comparative studies of ribosomal evolution and function. Commercial variants include monoclonal and polyclonal types, optimized for different experimental conditions. Proper validation remains essential, as off-target binding could lead to misinterpretation in ribosome profiling studies.