REL antibodies target proteins in the REL family (including c-Rel, RelA/p65. RelB), which are critical components of the NF-κB transcription factor family. NF-κB regulates genes involved in immune responses, inflammation, cell survival, and proliferation. The c-Rel protein, encoded by the REL gene, contains a conserved N-terminal Rel homology domain (RHD) responsible for DNA binding, dimerization, and interaction with inhibitory IκB proteins. Unlike other NF-κB members, c-Rel is primarily expressed in immune cells like T cells, B cells, and macrophages, where it plays a specialized role in lymphocyte activation and inflammatory signaling.
Dysregulation of c-Rel is linked to autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus), chronic inflammation, and cancers. Overactivation of c-Rel promotes aberrant cytokine production and cell proliferation, while its deficiency impairs immune cell function. In B-cell lymphomas and leukemias, REL gene amplification or mutations enhance c-Rel activity, driving oncogenesis. This makes c-Rel a therapeutic target, with inhibitors under investigation for inflammatory disorders and malignancies.
REL antibodies are essential tools for detecting c-Rel expression, localization, and post-translational modifications in research. They are used in techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) to study NF-κB signaling dynamics. Commercial antibodies are validated for specificity to distinguish c-Rel from other NF-κB family members, aiding mechanistic studies in immunology and cancer biology.