ABCB6 Antibody
Description
Introduction to ABCB6 Antibody
The ABCB6 antibody is a polyclonal or monoclonal reagent designed to detect ATP-binding cassette sub-family B member 6 (ABCB6), a transmembrane transporter involved in porphyrin metabolism, drug resistance, and oxidative stress regulation . ABCB6 is a glycosylated protein encoded by the ABCB6 gene (UniProt ID: Q9NP58; NCBI Gene ID: 10058) and plays roles in mitochondrial and endolysosomal functions . Antibodies targeting ABCB6 are critical for studying its expression, localization, and molecular interactions in diseases such as porphyria, atherosclerosis, and cancer .
Key Features
Validated Use Cases
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Western Blot: Detects endogenous ABCB6 in human erythrocytes, K562 cells, and mouse brain tissue .
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IHC/IF: Localizes ABCB6 in breast cancer, ovarian tumor tissues, and lysosomal compartments .
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Functional Studies: Used to explore ABCB6’s role in erythrocyte potassium efflux, cadmium detoxification, and chemoresistance .
Recommended Dilutions
| Application | Dilution Range | Sample Types |
|---|---|---|
| WB | 1:500–1:2000 | HeLa, U-251, K562 cells |
| IHC | 1:50–1:500 | Human tumor tissues |
| IF/ICC | 1:20–1:200 | MCF-7 cells |
Erythrocyte Function and Disease
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ABCB6 is a glycosylated plasma membrane protein in mature red blood cells (RBCs) and regulates potassium efflux . Mutations (e.g., R276W) increase RBC potassium loss, linked to transfusion complications .
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ABCB6 deficiency accelerates atherosclerosis by enhancing platelet reactivity and chemokine CCL5 release .
Mitochondrial vs. Endolysosomal Roles
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ABCB6 was initially mislocalized to mitochondria but is now confirmed in endolysosomal compartments and RBC membranes .
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ABCB6 transports porphyrins and heme precursors, impacting porphyria severity .
Validation Data
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Western Blot: Detects bands at ~94 kDa (calculated) but observes 70–170 kDa due to glycosylation .
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Immunofluorescence: Colocalizes with lysosomal markers (LAMP1) in glioblastoma cells .
Limitations and Controversies
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Localization Discrepancies: Conflicting reports on mitochondrial vs. plasma membrane localization .
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Functional Redundancy: ABCB6 knockout models show no defects in heme synthesis, suggesting compensatory mechanisms .
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Antibody Specificity: Some antibodies exhibit cross-reactivity due to glycosylation variants .
