The DEAF1 (Deformed Epidermal Autoregulatory Factor 1) antibody is a tool used to detect and study the DEAF1 protein, a transcription factor involved in regulating gene expression. DEAF1 belongs to the DEAF family of proteins, characterized by a conserved MYND domain (mediating protein-protein interactions) and a NUCR (nuclear localization) domain. It plays critical roles in embryonic development, neuronal differentiation, and synaptic function, and has been implicated in both neurodevelopmental disorders and cancer. DEAF1 binds to specific DNA sequences to either activate or repress target genes, influencing processes like cell proliferation, apoptosis, and immune responses.
Research has linked DEAF1 mutations or dysregulation to autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disability, and certain autoimmune conditions. In cancer, DEAF1 may act as a tumor suppressor or oncogene depending on context, with altered expression observed in gliomas, breast cancer, and leukemia. DEAF1 antibodies are essential for investigating its expression patterns, subcellular localization, and interactions in these contexts. They are widely used in techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF), and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). Validation of DEAF1 antibodies is crucial due to potential cross-reactivity with homologous proteins. Commercial antibodies vary in host species, clonality, and epitope specificity, requiring careful selection based on experimental needs. Recent studies also explore DEAF1's role in stress responses and viral infection, broadening its biomedical relevance.