RPS8A Antibody

Definition and Biological Role of RPS8A

RPS8A is a conserved ribosomal protein encoded by the RPS8 gene, forming part of the small ribosomal subunit (40S) essential for mRNA translation . In yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), RPS8A is critical for ribosome assembly and interacts with nucleolar proteins like nucleophosmin to facilitate cell proliferation . Structurally, it contains domains for RNA binding and ribosomal integration, with molecular weight ~24 kDa .

Antibody Characteristics

RPS8A antibodies are primarily polyclonal or monoclonal reagents designed for detecting RPS8A in research settings. Key features include:

• Host Species: Rabbit (most common), mouse .

• Clonality: Polyclonal (e.g., ABIN7270041) or monoclonal (e.g., ab201454) .

• Applications: Western blot (WB), immunofluorescence (IF), immunohistochemistry (IHC), flow cytometry .

• Epitopes: Target regions include the N-terminal (AA 1–28), C-terminal (AA 150–208), or internal domains .

Table 1: Comparison of Select RPS8A Antibodies

Ribosome Biogenesis and Cell Proliferation

• RPS8A interacts with nucleophosmin to promote ribosome assembly and cell proliferation .

• Depletion of RPS8 homologs (e.g., S9 in humans) induces G1 cell cycle arrest and activates p53 pathways .

Disease Associations

• Cancer: RPS8 is overexpressed in alcohol-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), correlating with tumor progression and serving as a diagnostic biomarker .

  • Mechanism: High RPS8 expression enriches ribosome and RNA polymerase pathways in HCC .

  • Clinical Data: Immunohistochemistry shows upregulated RPS8 in 67–100% of alcohol-associated HCC tissues .

• Apoptosis Regulation: RPS8 homolog S3 induces caspase-dependent apoptosis via JNK activation, while L35a inhibits apoptosis in cancer cells .

Experimental Validation

• Western Blot: Anti-RPS8 antibodies (e.g., ab201454) detect a 24 kDa band in human, mouse, and rat lysates .

• Immunofluorescence: Cytoplasmic localization confirmed in A549 (lung carcinoma) and Jurkat (T-cell leukemia) cells .

• Flow Cytometry: Used to quantify RPS8 expression in fixed cells, with signal specificity validated against isotype controls .

Technical Considerations

• Buffer: PBS with glycerol and sodium azide (0.02%) for long-term storage .

• Controls: Include isotype-matched antibodies and secondary-only controls to minimize false positives .

• Species Cross-Reactivity: Most antibodies target human RPS8A but show reactivity with mouse and rat homologs .