The DDX43 antibody targets the DEAD-box helicase 43 (DDX43), also known as HAGE or CT13. a member of the DEAD-box RNA helicase family. DDX43 is encoded by the DDX43 gene located on the X chromosome and is characterized by conserved DEAD-box and helicase domains, which facilitate ATP-dependent RNA unwinding and remodeling. It is classified as a cancer/testis (CT) antigen due to its restricted expression in normal tissues (primarily testis) and aberrant overexpression in various cancers, including melanoma, lung, ovarian, and hepatocellular carcinomas. This tumor-specific expression makes DDX43 a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in oncology.
DDX43 antibodies are widely used in research to investigate its role in cancer progression, immune evasion, and epigenetic regulation. Studies suggest DDX43 may promote tumorigenesis by enhancing cell proliferation, inhibiting apoptosis, and modulating gene expression through interactions with RNA or DNA. Additionally, its epigenetic silencing via promoter hypermethylation in some cancers highlights its complex regulatory mechanisms. Commercially available DDX43 antibodies (polyclonal or monoclonal) are validated for applications such as Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence, aiding in the detection of DDX43 protein levels in clinical and experimental samples. However, variability in antibody specificity and cross-reactivity with other DEAD-box proteins requires careful validation for accurate interpretation. Ongoing research aims to clarify DDX43's molecular functions and explore its utility in cancer immunotherapy and diagnostics.