HELLS (Helicase, Lymphoid-Specific), also known as LSH (Lymphoid-Specific Helicase) or SMARCA6. is a chromatin-remodeling protein belonging to the SNF2 family of helicases. It plays a critical role in maintaining genome stability, DNA methylation, and heterochromatin organization. HELLS facilitates nucleosome repositioning, enabling access to DNA during replication, repair, and transcriptional regulation. Its dysfunction is linked to developmental disorders, immunodeficiency, and cancer, particularly due to its role in epigenetic silencing and genomic imprinting.
HELLS antibodies are essential tools for studying these mechanisms. They are widely used in techniques like Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) to detect HELLS expression, localization, and interactions. Researchers employ these antibodies to investigate HELLS's involvement in chromatin dynamics, stem cell differentiation, and tumorigenesis. For example, studies reveal HELLS overexpression in various cancers, correlating with poor prognosis, while its deficiency causes ICF syndrome (Immunodeficiency, Centromeric instability, Facial anomalies). Commercial HELLS antibodies are typically raised against specific epitopes, validated for species cross-reactivity (human, mouse, rat), and optimized for experimental reproducibility. Ongoing research focuses on targeting HELLS for epigenetic therapies, emphasizing its biomarker potential in oncology and regenerative medicine.