The UGT1A4 antibody is a crucial tool for studying UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A4 (UGT1A4), an enzyme belonging to the uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) superfamily. UGT enzymes catalyze the glucuronidation of endogenous compounds (e.g., bilirubin, steroids) and xenobiotics (e.g., drugs, environmental toxins), enhancing their water solubility for excretion. UGT1A4. encoded by the UGT1A gene complex on chromosome 2q37. is primarily expressed in the liver, gastrointestinal tract, and kidneys. It specifically metabolizes amines and tertiary amines, including drugs like antidepressants (e.g., imipramine) and antipsychotics (e.g., clozapine).
Antibodies targeting UGT1A4 enable researchers to detect and quantify its expression in tissues or cell lines, aiding studies on interindividual variability in drug metabolism, enzyme regulation, and disease associations. For example, altered UGT1A4 activity has been linked to drug resistance, toxicity, or efficacy in chemotherapy. Commercial UGT1A4 antibodies are typically monoclonal or polyclonal, validated for applications such as Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, or ELISA. Their specificity is critical due to high homology among UGT1A isoforms.
Research using UGT1A4 antibodies contributes to understanding genetic polymorphisms (e.g., UGT1A4*3) affecting drug responses and personalized medicine. Additionally, they help explore UGT1A4's role in cancers, where dysregulated glucuronidation may influence tumor progression or drug resistance. Proper validation with controls (e.g., knockout cells) ensures accurate interpretation in experimental models.