Cathepsin D (CTSD) is a lysosomal aspartic protease involved in protein degradation, cellular homeostasis, and antigen processing. It is synthesized as an inactive pro-enzyme that undergoes proteolytic cleavage in acidic environments to generate mature, enzymatically active forms. CTSD plays critical roles in apoptosis, cell proliferation, and tissue remodeling, with dysregulation linked to cancer metastasis, neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s), and lysosomal storage disorders.
CTSD antibodies are essential tools for studying its expression, localization, and function. They are widely used in techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF) to assess CTSD levels in tissues or cultured cells. In cancer research, these antibodies help evaluate CTSD’s role in tumor progression, as its overexpression correlates with poor prognosis in breast and ovarian cancers. In neuroscience, they aid in exploring its association with amyloid plaque formation and neuronal death.
Available as monoclonal or polyclonal variants, CTSD antibodies target specific epitopes (e.g., pro-form or mature enzyme). Validation via knockout controls or enzymatic activity assays is crucial due to potential cross-reactivity with other cathepsins. Commercial antibodies often include application-specific validation data. Researchers prioritize antibodies with high specificity, batch consistency, and compatibility with their experimental models. As CTSD gains attention as a therapeutic target or biomarker, reliable antibodies remain vital for mechanistic studies and diagnostic development.