The ARF4 antibody is a research tool designed to detect and study ADP-ribosylation factor 4 (ARF4), a small GTP-binding protein belonging to the ARF family. ARF proteins are critical regulators of intracellular membrane trafficking, vesicle formation, and cargo sorting. Specifically, ARF4 localizes to the Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum, where it participates in COPI (coat protein complex I)-mediated retrograde transport and interacts with other ARF isoforms to maintain organelle structure and function. It also plays roles in lipid droplet formation, ciliogenesis, and secretory pathways, influencing cellular processes such as protein secretion and receptor recycling.
ARF4 antibodies are typically developed in host species like rabbits or mice using immunogenic peptides or recombinant ARF4 protein. They are widely used in techniques like Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunoprecipitation to investigate ARF4 expression, subcellular localization, and protein-protein interactions. Dysregulation of ARF4 has been implicated in diseases, including cancers (e.g., prostate, breast) and ciliopathies, due to its role in membrane dynamics and signaling pathways. Researchers utilize these antibodies to explore ARF4’s contribution to pathological mechanisms or developmental processes, such as embryonic tissue patterning. Validation of ARF4 antibodies includes testing for specificity via knockout controls or siRNA knockdown. Commercial availability from multiple biotech vendors facilitates its use in both basic and translational research.