Delta-like 1 homolog (DLK1), also known as preadipocyte factor 1 (Pref-1), is a transmembrane protein belonging to the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like repeat protein family. It plays critical roles in cell differentiation, tissue development, and metabolic regulation. DLK1 is highly expressed during embryogenesis, particularly in developing tissues such as adipose, muscle, and endocrine organs, but its expression diminishes in most adult tissues except certain stem cell niches. Aberrant DLK1 expression is linked to metabolic disorders (e.g., obesity, diabetes), cancers (e.g., neuroendocrine tumors, hepatoblastoma), and developmental abnormalities.
DLK1 antibodies are essential tools for studying its biological functions and pathological roles. They enable the detection of DLK1 in tissues or cells via techniques like immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and flow cytometry. These antibodies often target extracellular EGF-like repeats or intracellular domains, distinguishing membrane-bound DLK1 from its soluble form. In research, DLK1 antibodies help elucidate mechanisms in adipogenesis, tumorigenesis, and stem cell maintenance. Clinically, they hold diagnostic potential as DLK1 is a biomarker for某些 cancers and metabolic diseases. Therapeutic applications are also being explored, including antibody-based targeting to inhibit DLK1 signaling in cancers or modulate adipocyte differentiation. Commercial DLK1 antibodies vary in specificity and host species, requiring validation for experimental reproducibility.