The CHST4 antibody targets the carbohydrate sulfotransferase 4 (CHST4), an enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of sulfate groups to carbohydrate moieties, particularly during the post-translational modification of glycoproteins and proteoglycans. CHST4. also known as GlcNAc6ST-2. is primarily involved in the sulfation of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) residues on glycans, a critical process for forming functional ligands such as 6-sulfo sialyl Lewis X. These sulfated structures play key roles in cell-cell interactions, notably in lymphocyte homing to peripheral lymph nodes via binding to L-selectin on endothelial cells.
CHST4 is expressed in high endothelial venules (HEVs) and certain epithelial tissues. Dysregulation of CHST4 has been implicated in inflammatory diseases, cancer metastasis, and immune disorders. For example, altered CHST4 expression may influence tumor cell adhesion and extravasation by modulating selectin ligand activity.
Antibodies against CHST4 are essential tools for studying its expression patterns, subcellular localization, and functional roles in both physiological and pathological contexts. They are widely used in techniques like immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and flow cytometry to investigate CHST4's involvement in immune responses, vascular biology, and cancer progression. Commercially available CHST4 antibodies are typically validated for specificity using knockout controls or siRNA-mediated silencing. Research applications include exploring CHST4 as a potential therapeutic target or biomarker in diseases characterized by aberrant glycan sulfation or leukocyte trafficking.