The COX4I1 antibody targets cytochrome c oxidase subunit 4 isoform 1 (COX4I1), a critical component of mitochondrial complex IV in the electron transport chain. COX4I1 is a nuclear-encoded subunit that stabilizes the complex and regulates its activity, playing a central role in cellular energy production via oxidative phosphorylation. This isoform is ubiquitously expressed, though its expression varies across tissues, with higher levels observed in metabolically active organs like the heart and liver.
COX4I1 antibodies are widely used in research to investigate mitochondrial function, metabolic disorders, and diseases linked to oxidative stress, such as cancer, neurodegenerative conditions, and cardiovascular pathologies. They enable the detection and quantification of COX4I1 protein levels through techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence, helping to assess mitochondrial health and complex IV assembly. Studies have explored COX4I1's role in hypoxia adaptation, as its expression may shift under low-oxygen conditions, influencing cellular energy metabolism. Additionally, COX4I1 dysregulation has been implicated in tumor progression, with some cancers showing altered expression correlating with prognosis.
These antibodies are typically validated for specificity across species (e.g., human, mouse, rat) and are essential tools for understanding mitochondrial biology and its implications in disease mechanisms.