The AXIN1 antibody is a crucial tool in biomedical research, primarily used to study the AXIN1 protein—a scaffold component of the β-catenin destruction complex in the Wnt signaling pathway. AXIN1 facilitates the assembly of key proteins, including APC and GSK3β, to promote β-catenin phosphorylation and degradation, thereby maintaining low Wnt activity. Dysregulation of this pathway, often linked to AXIN1 mutations or downregulation, is implicated in cancers (e.g., colorectal, hepatocellular) and developmental disorders.
Researchers employ AXIN1 antibodies in techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence to detect protein expression, localization, and interactions. These antibodies help elucidate AXIN1's role in tumor suppression, its interaction with other Wnt components, and its involvement in cellular processes like apoptosis and differentiation. Mutations in AXIN1 are associated with somatic cancers and rare genetic syndromes, making it a biomarker of interest. Commercially available antibodies vary in specificity (targeting epitopes in N-terminal, middle, or C-terminal regions) and applications, requiring validation for experimental contexts. Ongoing studies focus on AXIN1's therapeutic potential, including small-molecule modulators to restore Wnt pathway balance in diseases.