The MED13 antibody targets the MED13 protein, a key subunit of the Mediator complex—a multi-protein assembly essential for regulating RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-dependent transcription in eukaryotes. The Mediator complex acts as a molecular bridge between transcription factors (TFs) and the basal transcriptional machinery, modulating gene expression by facilitating chromatin remodeling, Pol II recruitment, and transcription initiation. MED13. along with MED12. CDK8. and CYCC, forms the kinase module of the Mediator complex, which can either activate or repress transcription depending on cellular context and post-translational modifications. MED13 itself has been implicated in critical signaling pathways, including Wnt and Hedgehog, and plays roles in development, cell growth, and differentiation.
Antibodies against MED13 are widely used in research to investigate its function in gene regulation, disease mechanisms, and developmental processes. They are employed in techniques like Western blotting, immunoprecipitation (IP), and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) to study MED13-protein interactions, localization, and DNA-binding dynamics. Dysregulation of MED13 has been linked to cancers, cardiovascular disorders, and neurodevelopmental syndromes such as MED13L-related intellectual disability. Researchers also utilize MED13 antibodies to explore its role in drug resistance and as a potential therapeutic target. Specificity and validation (e.g., knockdown controls) are critical for reliable results, given the Mediator complex's structural complexity and functional diversity.