**Background of PTHLH Antibody**
The PTHLH antibody targets parathyroid hormone-like hormone (PTHLH), a protein encoded by the *PTHLH* gene. PTHLH plays critical roles in regulating calcium homeostasis, cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. It shares structural homology with parathyroid hormone (PTH) and binds to the PTH-1 receptor (PTH1R), mediating similar downstream signaling pathways. PTHLH is essential during embryonic development, particularly in skeletal formation, and is implicated in pathological conditions, including cancer (e.g., breast, lung) and skeletal disorders (e.g., chondrodysplasia).
Antibodies against PTHLH are vital tools for studying its expression, localization, and function. They are widely used in immunoassays (e.g., ELISA, immunohistochemistry, Western blot) to investigate PTHLH overexpression in tumors or dysregulation in bone diseases. Due to structural similarities between PTHLH and PTH, antibodies are often designed to target distinct epitopes (e.g., C-terminal or mid-region) to ensure specificity.
Clinically, PTHLH antibodies aid in diagnosing cancers with ectopic PTHLH production, which can cause hypercalcemia, and in researching therapeutic strategies targeting PTHLH/PTH1R signaling. Monoclonal antibodies offer high specificity, while polyclonal antibodies may detect multiple epitopes but require rigorous validation. Quality control, including cross-reactivity and sensitivity assessments, is critical for reliable experimental or diagnostic outcomes.