The TEKT4 antibody targets TEKT4. a member of the tektin family, which are structural proteins integral to microtubule-based cytoskeletal systems. Tektins, including TEKT4. are evolutionarily conserved and primarily associated with cilia, flagella, and centrioles. TEKT4 is specifically expressed in germ cells, particularly during spermatogenesis, where it localizes to the manchette and sperm flagella, playing a critical role in sperm head shaping and flagellar assembly. Dysregulation of TEKT4 has been linked to male infertility due to structural sperm defects.
As a research tool, the TEKT4 antibody is widely used in immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting to study TEKT4 expression patterns in reproductive tissues, sperm development, and cilia-related pathologies. It also aids in exploring TEKT4's potential roles beyond reproduction, such as in ciliopathies or cancers where ciliary dysfunction is implicated. Recent studies suggest TEKT4 may serve as a biomarker for certain malignancies, though its oncogenic mechanisms remain under investigation.
Commercial TEKT4 antibodies are typically raised in rabbits or mice using recombinant protein fragments, with validation in species like humans and mice. Researchers prioritize antibodies with high specificity to avoid cross-reactivity with other tektin isoforms (e.g., TEKT1. TEKT2). Its applications span basic reproductive biology, clinical infertility diagnostics, and emerging cancer research, reflecting TEKT4's multifunctional significance in cellular architecture and disease.