The HSD17B12 antibody is a crucial tool for studying the 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 12 (HSD17B12) enzyme, a member of the HSD17B family involved in steroid metabolism and lipid biosynthesis. HSD17B12 catalyzes the reduction of 17-ketosteroids to 17β-hydroxysteroids and plays a key role in elongating very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) within the endoplasmic reticulum. This enzyme is critical for cellular membrane integrity, signaling, and lipid homeostasis. Dysregulation of HSD17B12 has been implicated in cancers, including breast, prostate, and liver malignancies, where its overexpression correlates with tumor progression, metastasis, and therapy resistance.
HSD17B12 antibodies are widely used in techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF) to detect protein expression, localization, and quantification in tissues or cell lines. They aid in exploring HSD17B12's functional roles, such as its interaction with lipid metabolism pathways or hormone-dependent signaling. Commercially available antibodies are typically validated for specificity, often targeting epitopes within conserved regions of the protein. Recent studies highlight its potential as a diagnostic biomarker or therapeutic target, particularly in cancers with altered lipid metabolism. However, challenges remain in standardizing antibody performance across experimental conditions, necessitating rigorous validation to ensure reproducibility in research applications.