Wnt16 antibody is a research tool designed to detect and analyze the Wnt16 protein, a member of the Wnt family of signaling molecules involved in developmental processes, tissue homeostasis, and disease pathogenesis. Wnt16 plays dual roles in biological systems, acting as a context-dependent regulator in bone development, cancer progression, and immune modulation. In bone biology, Wnt16 promotes osteoblast differentiation and bone formation, while in cancer, it has been linked to chemotherapy resistance, tumor-stroma interactions, and metastasis. Its expression is often dysregulated in cancers (e.g., breast, prostate) and inflammatory conditions.
The antibody targets specific epitopes of Wnt16. enabling applications such as Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF), and flow cytometry to study protein expression, localization, and interactions. Researchers use it to explore Wnt16’s role in β-catenin-dependent (canonical) and -independent (non-canonical) signaling pathways, often in models of disease or genetic manipulation. Commercially available Wnt16 antibodies are typically validated for cross-reactivity in human, mouse, and rat samples, though species-specific isoforms may require verification. Challenges include distinguishing Wnt16 from other Wnt family members due to structural similarities, emphasizing the need for antibody specificity controls. Recent studies also highlight its potential therapeutic relevance, driving demand for reliable detection tools in preclinical research.