ZIC5 antibody targets the ZIC5 protein, a member of the ZIC family of zinc finger transcription factors. The ZIC family (ZIC1-5) plays critical roles in embryonic development, particularly in neural tube formation, neurogenesis, and tissue patterning. ZIC5. encoded by the *ZIC5* gene, shares a conserved C2H2-type zinc finger domain that mediates DNA binding and regulates downstream gene expression. It is involved in early developmental processes, including left-right asymmetry determination and neural crest cell differentiation. Dysregulation of ZIC5 has been linked to developmental disorders and cancers, such as neuroblastoma and germ cell tumors, where its overexpression or mutation may drive tumorigenesis.
ZIC5 antibodies are essential tools in research to detect and quantify ZIC5 protein expression, localization, and interactions. They are widely used in techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF) to study ZIC5's role in normal development and disease. Commercially available antibodies are typically validated for specificity against conserved epitopes, though cross-reactivity with other ZIC family members should be cautiously evaluated. Recent studies also explore ZIC5's potential as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker, highlighting its relevance in both basic and clinical research contexts. Understanding ZIC5's molecular mechanisms through antibody-based assays contributes to insights into developmental biology and cancer therapeutics.