PRPF38A Antibody

Introduction to PRPF38A Antibody

PRPF38A (Pre-mRNA-splicing factor 38A) antibodies are polyclonal reagents designed to detect and analyze the PRPF38A protein, which plays a transient but essential role in spliceosome activation during RNA splicing . These antibodies enable researchers to investigate PRPF38A's localization, interactions, and functional roles in cellular processes and diseases.

Role in Spliceosome Dynamics

PRPF38A is a B-specific spliceosomal protein incorporated during pre-catalytic spliceosome (B complex) formation and released upon activation . Key findings:

• Knockdown Effects: Depletion of PRPF38A increases intron retention, disrupting spliceosome activation and mRNA maturation .

• Protein Interactions: Binds transiently with spliceosomal components like MFAP and Snu23, facilitating structural rearrangements during splicing .

Implications in Cancer

PRPF38A is a vulnerability in basal-A triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC):

• Functional Studies: siRNA-mediated knockdown of PRPF38A reduced viability in 4/5 basal-A TNBC cell lines by inducing intron retention in transcripts critical for mitosis and apoptosis .

• Therapeutic Potential: Splicing modulators (e.g., E7107) targeting PRPF38A-related pathways suppressed TNBC xenograft growth, with enhanced efficacy when combined with proteasome inhibitors .

Experimental Applications

PRPF38A antibodies have been utilized in:

• Subcellular Localization: Demonstrating PRPF38A’s nuclear and nucleolar distribution using immunofluorescence .

• Mechanistic Studies: Tracking re-localization to nuclear lamina or nucleoli via chemical dimerizers to study splicing regulation .

• Diagnostic Development: Detecting PRPF38A expression in clinical samples (e.g., human tonsil, cervical epithelium) .

Key Considerations for Use

• Species Cross-Reactivity: Confirmed for human and mouse; potential cross-reactivity with canine tissues requires empirical validation .

• Validation: Always include positive controls (e.g., HUVEC or COLO cell lysates) and peptide blocking experiments to confirm specificity .

• Storage: Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles to maintain antibody stability .