ABCG31 Antibody

Introduction to ABCG31 Antibody

ABCG31 is an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter protein belonging to the G subfamily. These transporters are critical for the ATP-dependent translocation of substrates across biological membranes. ABCG31 has been characterized in plants (e.g., Arabidopsis thaliana and barley) and mammals, with distinct roles in physiological processes such as cuticle formation, pollen development, and tumor progression. Antibodies targeting ABCG31 enable researchers to study its expression, localization, and functional mechanisms. Below, we synthesize findings from peer-reviewed studies to provide a comprehensive overview of ABCG31 and its associated antibody research.

2.1. Molecular Structure

ABCG31 is a plasma membrane-localized full transporter with 12 transmembrane helices. It forms homodimers or heterodimers (e.g., with ABCG9 in Arabidopsis) to facilitate substrate transport. Key structural features include:

• Nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs): Essential for ATP hydrolysis.

• Transmembrane domains (TMDs): Form the substrate-translocation pathway.

• Plasma membrane anchoring: Confirmed via GFP-tagged localization studies .

2.2. Functional Roles

3.1. Role in Pollen Viability

• Genetic knockout: Arabidopsis abcg9 abcg31 double mutants display shrunken pollen grains and 50% reduced viability. Complementation with ABCG9 restores viability to wild-type levels .

• Expression dynamics: ABCG31 is highly expressed in the tapetum during microspore development (stages 9–12) and localizes to the plasma membrane .

3.2. Cuticle Permeability and Pathogen Defense

• Barley studies: hvabcg31 mutants exhibit:

  • 5.2-fold higher chlorophyll leakage than wild type.

  • Reduced cutin monomers, leading to compromised cuticle integrity .

• Ortholog in Arabidopsis: AtABCG32 (ortholog of HvABCG31) similarly affects cuticle formation, confirming evolutionary conservation .

ABCG31 in Mammalian Systems

While ABCG31 is less characterized in mammals, studies on its homolog ABCG1 reveal:

• Cancer relevance: Elevated Abcg1 expression in metastatic colon cancer cells (e.g., LuM1) correlates with HIF-1α upregulation and tumor angiogenesis .

• Therapeutic potential: Depleting ABCG1 reduces HIF-1α levels and suppresses tumor growth, suggesting ABCG transporters as cancer targets .

Applications of ABCG31 Antibodies in Research

Antibodies against ABCG31 are vital for:

• Localization studies: Tracking ABCG31 expression in plant anthers or mammalian tissues via immunohistochemistry.

• Functional assays: Validating protein knockdown/out in genetic mutants (e.g., abcg31 lines).

• Biochemical characterization: Immunoprecipitation to study interaction partners (e.g., ABCG9 in Arabidopsis) .

Future Directions

• Agricultural biotechnology: Engineering ABCG31 to enhance crop cuticle resilience against drought or pathogens.

• Cancer therapeutics: Exploring ABCG31 inhibitors to target lipid metabolism in tumors.