Uroplakin3a (UPIIIa) antibody is a valuable tool for studying the molecular composition and function of urothelial tissues, particularly in the urinary tract. Uroplakins are transmembrane proteins that form the asymmetric unit membrane (AUM) of the urothelium, the specialized epithelium lining the bladder, ureters, and renal pelvis. Among the four major uroplakins (UPIa, UPII, UPIIIa, UPIIIb), UPIIIa is a tetraspanin protein critical for maintaining urothelial barrier integrity and regulating membrane stability. It assembles into heterodimeric complexes with UPIa, contributing to the formation of rigid apical plaques that protect against mechanical stress and urinary toxins.
UPIIIa antibodies are widely used in research to investigate urothelial differentiation, developmental biology, and pathological conditions such as bladder cancer. In diagnostics, UPIIIa expression is a marker for urothelial carcinoma, as its loss or altered expression correlates with tumor progression and metastatic potential. These antibodies are employed in techniques like immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blotting to assess protein localization and expression levels in normal versus diseased tissues. Additionally, UPIIIa antibodies aid in studying congenital bladder disorders and urinary tract infections, where urothelial integrity is compromised. Their specificity makes them essential for elucidating the role of UPIIIa in cell-cell adhesion, signal transduction, and interactions with pathogens. Overall, UPIIIa antibodies are pivotal in both basic research and clinical applications, bridging molecular insights with diagnostic and therapeutic advancements.