slc46a1 Antibody

Introduction

The SLC46A1 antibody is a research tool designed to detect the Proton-Coupled Folate Transporter (PCFT), encoded by the SLC46A1 gene. This protein is critical for folate absorption in the small intestine and cerebrospinal fluid transport, playing a central role in folate metabolism and neurological function . The antibody is widely used in molecular biology assays to study PCFT expression, localization, and functional deficits in diseases such as hereditary folate malabsorption (HFM) .

Properties of the SLC46A1 Antibody

3.1. Diagnosis of Hereditary Folate Malabsorption

Mutations in SLC46A1 disrupt PCFT function, leading to severe folate deficiency, anemia, and neurological defects . The antibody is used to confirm reduced or absent PCFT expression in patient tissues, aiding in HFM diagnosis .

3.2. Drug Transport Studies

PCFT facilitates the uptake of antifolate drugs (e.g., pemetrexed) in cancer therapy. The antibody has been employed to study PCFT-mediated drug transport mechanisms and optimize antifolate design for cancer treatment .

4.1. Functional Mutations

A study identifying the D156Y mutation in SLC46A1 used the antibody to show that this mutation destabilizes PCFT, preventing membrane localization . Other mutations (e.g., D109E) disrupt proton-coupled transport, emphasizing critical residues for PCFT activity .

4.2. Antifolate Drug Development

Structural data from PCFT-antifolate complexes highlight the antibody’s role in validating drug-target interactions. A pharmacophore model derived from these studies guides the design of PCFT-selective antifolates with reduced systemic toxicity .

References

1. MedlinePlus Genetics: SLC46A1 Gene. https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/slc46a1/

2. Structural basis of antifolate recognition by PCFT. Nature Communications. 2021. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9990147/

3. Functional roles of aspartate residues in PCFT. Blood. 2010. https://ashpublications.org/blood/article/116/24/5162/28043

4. Abcam: Anti-HCP1/PCFT Antibody (ab241949). https://www.abcam.com/en-us/products/primary-antibodies/hcp1-pcft-antibody-ab241949

5. Proton-Coupled Folate Transporter. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proton-coupled_folate_transporter