ZIC5 (zinc finger of the cerebellum 5) is a transcription factor belonging to the ZIC family, characterized by C2H2-type zinc finger domains. It plays critical roles in embryonic development but is also implicated in oncogenesis across multiple cancer types, including prostate cancer (PCa), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), melanoma, and colorectal cancer (CRC). ZIC5 promotes tumor progression by regulating cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and drug resistance through mechanisms involving PDGFD (platelet-derived growth factor D), FAK (focal adhesion kinase), and STAT3 signaling pathways .
ZIC5 antibodies are polyclonal or monoclonal immunoglobulins designed to detect ZIC5 protein expression in research and diagnostic settings. These reagents enable precise localization and quantification of ZIC5 in tissues or cells using techniques such as:
ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay): For quantifying ZIC5 levels in lysates.
IHC (Immunohistochemistry): For visualizing ZIC5 in tissue sections.
Western Blot (WB): For analyzing ZIC5 protein size and abundance in cell lysates .
ZIC5 antibodies have revealed elevated ZIC5 expression in aggressive cancers:
Prostate Cancer: High ZIC5 levels correlate with metastasis and poor prognosis. IHC studies using ZIC5 antibodies identified enhanced AR (androgen receptor) signaling in metastatic lesions .
Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC): ZIC5 overexpression in HCC tissues (vs. adjacent normal liver) associates with advanced TNM stages and reduced survival .
Melanoma: ZIC5 antibodies detected high ZIC5 levels linked to E-cadherin suppression, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and drug resistance .
PDGFD/FAK/STAT3 Axis: ZIC5 knockdown (validated via WB) reduced PDGFD expression, FAK/STAT3 phosphorylation, and chemoresistance in PCa/CRC models .
Therapeutic Targeting: Combined inhibition of ZIC5 and AR (prostate cancer) or BRAF inhibitors (melanoma) enhanced apoptosis and reduced tumor growth in preclinical models .
ZIC5 antibodies serve as tools for:
Biomarker Discovery: Identifying ZIC5 as a prognostic marker for HCC and PCa .
Drug Development: Validating therapeutic strategies targeting ZIC5-PDGFD-FAK/STAT3 feedback loops.
Diagnostic Applications: IHC-based detection of ZIC5 in clinical samples to guide personalized therapies .
Antibody | Tested Tissues | Observed Bands (WB) | IHC Staining Patterns |
---|---|---|---|
OAEB00858 | Prostate, Skin, Small Intestine | ~45 kDa (blocked by peptide) | Cytoplasmic/Nuclear |
NBP2-84346 | Cerebellum | ~45 kDa | Nuclear |
Note: Predicted ZIC5 molecular weight is 68.4 kDa, but observed bands may vary due to post-translational modifications .