DUT antibodies target deoxyuridine triphosphatase (dUTPase), an enzyme critical for maintaining genomic integrity by preventing misincorporation of uracil into DNA. This enzyme hydrolyzes dUTP to dUMP, a precursor for thymidine synthesis, while reducing intracellular dUTP levels. dUTPase is essential in DNA repair, replication, and cellular stress responses, with roles in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and viral replication. Dysregulation of dUTPase has been linked to cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and viral infections (e.g., HIV, herpesviruses), as pathogens often encode dUTPase to manipulate host nucleotide pools.
DUT antibodies are widely used in research to study dUTPase expression, localization, and function across species (human, mouse, rat). They enable detection via techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF). Commercially available DUT antibodies include monoclonal and polyclonal variants, often validated for specificity using knockout controls. Applications span oncology (assessing tumor proliferation), virology (studying viral replication mechanisms), and neurobiology (exploring DNA damage responses). Quality validation remains crucial, as cross-reactivity or batch variability can affect reproducibility. Emerging studies also explore dUTPase as a biomarker or therapeutic target, highlighting the continued relevance of DUT antibodies in translational research.