The MED12 antibody targets the MED12 protein, a critical subunit of the Mediator complex, a multi-protein assembly that regulates RNA polymerase II-dependent transcription. MED12 (Mediator Complex Subunit 12) acts as a transcriptional coactivator, bridging transcription factors and the basal transcriptional machinery to modulate gene expression. It plays essential roles in development, cell differentiation, and signal transduction pathways, including Wnt/β-catenin and TGF-β signaling. Dysregulation of MED12 is linked to various diseases, including uterine leiomyomas, prostate cancer, and developmental disorders like Opitz-Kaveggia syndrome.
MED12 antibodies are widely used in research to study its expression, localization, and interactions via techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and co-immunoprecipitation. These antibodies help elucidate MED12's role in transcriptional regulation and disease mechanisms. Commercially available MED12 antibodies are typically raised in rabbits or mice, targeting specific epitopes (e.g., human MED12 amino acids 1500-2000). Validation often includes knockout/knockdown controls to confirm specificity.
Researchers also utilize MED12 antibodies in cancer studies, particularly to explore its tumor-suppressive or oncogenic roles in different contexts. Its involvement in Mediator kinase activity, which phosphorylates transcription components, further underscores its importance in transcriptional elongation and chromatin remodeling.