The QK1 antibody targets the QKI (Quaking homolog KH domain RNA-binding) protein, a member of the STAR family of RNA-binding proteins. QKI plays critical roles in post-transcriptional gene regulation, including mRNA splicing, stability, and transport. It is essential for cellular processes such as myelination, neurodevelopment, and vascular integrity. QKI exists in multiple isoforms (QKI-5. QKI-6. QKI-7), each with distinct subcellular localization and functions. Dysregulation of QKI has been implicated in diseases like glioblastoma, schizophrenia, and multiple sclerosis.
The QK1 antibody, often developed as a monoclonal or polyclonal reagent, enables detection and characterization of QKI protein expression in research applications. It is widely used in Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence to study QKI's role in cell differentiation, tumor suppression, and RNA metabolism. Notably, QKI's involvement in oligodendrocyte maturation and myelin sheath formation has made this antibody valuable in neuroscience research.
Studies using QK1 antibodies have revealed QKI's tumor-suppressive functions in cancers and its association with signaling pathways like Wnt and MAPK. Its specificity for QKI isoforms allows researchers to dissect isoform-specific mechanisms, contributing to therapeutic target discovery. Validation of QK1 antibodies typically includes knockout cell controls to ensure specificity, given QKI's homology with other STAR proteins.