The TUBA1C antibody targets TUBA1C (Tubulin Alpha 1c), a member of the α-tubulin protein family, which is essential for forming microtubules—a critical component of the eukaryotic cytoskeleton. TUBA1C, encoded by the TUBA1C gene in humans, plays a vital role in maintaining cell structure, facilitating intracellular transport, and regulating cell division by polymerizing with β-tubulin subunits. Its expression is tightly regulated across tissues, with elevated levels observed in proliferating cells or tissues with high microtubule turnover.
Antibodies against TUBA1C are widely used in research to study microtubule dynamics, cell cycle progression, and cytoskeletal organization. They are applied in techniques like Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry to detect TUBA1C expression, localization, or post-translational modifications (e.g., acetylation, detyrosination) that modulate microtubule stability and function. Dysregulation of TUBA1C has been linked to pathologies, including cancers (e.g., hepatocellular carcinoma, gliomas) and neurological disorders, where altered microtubule dynamics contribute to uncontrolled cell proliferation or impaired neuronal transport.
TUBA1C antibodies also aid in exploring therapeutic targets, as microtubule-disrupting agents (e.g., taxanes, vinca alkaloids) are common chemotherapeutics. Specificity validation via knockout/knockdown controls is crucial due to high homology among α-tubulin isoforms. Research continues to elucidate TUBA1C's isoform-specific roles and its potential as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker in disease contexts.