**Background of ARC Antibodies**
The apoptosis repressor with CARD domain (ARC) is a protein encoded by the *NOL3* gene, primarily expressed in terminally differentiated tissues such as skeletal muscle, heart, and brain. ARC uniquely functions as an endogenous inhibitor of apoptosis, operating through its caspase recruitment domain (CARD) to block extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways. It interacts with key pro-apoptotic proteins like caspase-8. Bax, and Fas, preventing their activation or oligomerization. This anti-apoptotic role makes ARC critical in maintaining cellular survival under stress conditions, such as ischemia or oxidative damage.
ARC antibodies are immunodetection tools targeting specific epitopes on the ARC protein. They are widely used in research to study ARC expression, localization, and regulatory mechanisms in both normal physiology and disease contexts. For instance, elevated ARC levels are linked to cancer progression and therapy resistance, while reduced ARC is associated with cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders. These antibodies enable techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry, aiding in the exploration of ARC's dual roles in cell survival and death.
Recent studies also investigate ARC's non-apoptotic functions, including roles in DNA repair and autophagy. ARC antibodies thus serve as essential reagents for unraveling its multifaceted contributions to health and disease.