The nicotinate phosphoribosyltransferase (NAPRT) antibody is a tool used to detect and study NAPRT, a key enzyme in the NAD+ biosynthesis pathway. NAPRT catalyzes the conversion of nicotinic acid (NA) to nicotinic acid mononucleotide (NaMN), a critical step in the Preiss-Handler pathway that generates NAD+, an essential coenzyme involved in cellular energy metabolism, DNA repair, and signaling.
NAPRT has garnered attention in cancer research, as its expression is often dysregulated in tumors. Some cancers (e.g., ovarian, pancreatic) overexpress NAPRT, enabling NAD+ production via the NA salvage pathway, which supports tumor growth under metabolic stress. Conversely, NAPRT deficiency in certain cancers (e.g., glioblastoma) increases susceptibility to NAD+-depleting therapies.
NAPRT antibodies are widely used in techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence to assess protein expression levels, localization, and regulatory mechanisms. They help identify NAPRT as a potential biomarker for predicting therapeutic responses, such as sensitivity to NAMPT inhibitors or chemotherapeutic agents. Recent studies also explore NAPRT's role in inflammation and metabolic disorders, broadening its relevance beyond oncology.
Commercial NAPRT antibodies are typically developed in rabbits or mice, validated for specificity across human and model organism samples. Ongoing research aims to clarify NAPRT's dual roles in tumorigenesis and therapy resistance, driving demand for reliable detection tools.