FUT3 Antibody

Introduction to FUT3 Antibody

FUT3 antibody is a research tool used to detect and study the enzyme fucosyltransferase 3 (FUT3), a key player in the biosynthesis of Lewis blood group antigens. FUT3 catalyzes the addition of fucose to glycosphingolipids, generating antigens such as Lewis a (Leᵃ), Lewis b (Leᵇ), and sialyl Lewis x (sLeˣ), which are critical for cellular adhesion, inflammation, and tumor metastasis . These antibodies are indispensable in investigating FUT3’s role in diseases like cancer, where its overexpression correlates with aggressive phenotypes and poor prognosis .

Structure and Function of FUT3

FUT3 is a glycosyltransferase with α(1,3)- and α(1,4)-fucosyltransferase activities, enabling it to modify glycans on cell surfaces and secreted glycoproteins. Its protein structure includes a catalytic domain and a transmembrane segment that anchors it to the Golgi apparatus . Key features include:

• Molecular Weight: ~42 kDa (calculated) .

• Gene Aliases: FUT3, CD174, LE, Les .

• Tissue Expression: Highly expressed in exocrine epithelial cells, stomach, colon, intestine, lung, and kidney .

Types of FUT3 Antibodies

FUT3 antibodies vary in clonality, epitope specificity, and applications. Below is a comparative analysis of prominent antibodies:

Note: WB = Western blot; IHC = Immunohistochemistry; IF = Immunofluorescence.

Applications in Research

FUT3 antibodies are employed in diverse experimental contexts:

4.2. Mechanistic Studies

• Glycan Synthesis: FUT3 generates sLeˣ and sLeᵃ, ligands for E-selectin, facilitating cancer cell adhesion to endothelial cells .

• Metabolic Reprogramming: In LUAD, FUT3 knockdown inhibits glycolysis, reducing ATP production and tumor progression .

5.1. FUT3 in Tumor Metastasis

5.2. Prognostic Value

• Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC): FUT3 expression improves OS and RFS prediction when combined with the Leibovich model (C-index improved from 0.829 to 0.854) .

• Pancreatic Cancer: Tumorigenicity in xenograft models is nearly abolished with FUT3 knockdown (tumor volume ↓98%) .

Clinical and Diagnostic Potential

FUT3 antibodies are pivotal in:

• Biomarker Development: High FUT3 expression in tumor tissues may stratify patients for targeted therapies (e.g., anti-E-selectin drugs) .

• Therapeutic Targeting: Inhibiting FUT3 could disrupt glycan-mediated adhesion and metastasis, offering a novel cancer treatment strategy .