**Background of PROM1 Antibody**
The PROM1 antibody targets Prominin-1 (PROM1/CD133), a transmembrane glycoprotein widely recognized as a marker of stem and progenitor cells in various tissues, including neural, epithelial, and hematopoietic systems. Initially identified in murine neuroepithelial cells, PROM1 is characterized by five transmembrane domains, N-linked glycosylation sites, and cholesterol-binding regions. It localizes to membrane protrusions (e.g., microvilli) and plays roles in membrane organization, cell signaling, and maintaining stem cell properties.
In research, PROM1 antibodies are critical tools for isolating and characterizing cancer stem cells (CSCs), as CD133+ cells are linked to tumor initiation, therapy resistance, and metastasis in cancers like glioblastoma, colon, and liver carcinomas. These antibodies are also used to study tissue regeneration, developmental biology, and degenerative diseases.
Clinically, PROM1 expression correlates with poor prognosis in some cancers, making it a potential therapeutic target. However, its utility as a universal CSC marker is debated due to heterogeneity across tumor types. PROM1 antibodies are employed in techniques such as flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting, with validation required for species specificity (human PROM1 vs. murine Prom1) and glycosylation-dependent epitope recognition.
Overall, PROM1 antibodies remain pivotal in advancing stem cell biology and oncology research.