Adenosine kinase (ADK) antibodies are tools used to detect and study adenosine kinase, an enzyme critical in purine metabolism. ADK catalyzes the phosphorylation of adenosine into adenosine monophosphate (AMP), regulating intracellular adenosine levels. This enzyme plays a dual role: sustaining nucleotide homeostasis and modulating adenosine-mediated signaling pathways, which influence processes like inflammation, neurotransmission, and cell survival. Dysregulation of ADK is linked to neurological disorders (e.g., epilepsy), cancer, and metabolic conditions, making it a research focus for therapeutic targeting.
ADK antibodies are essential in biomedical research to investigate ADK expression, localization, and function in tissues or cell lines. They enable techniques such as Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence, helping to map ADK distribution in the brain, liver, and proliferating cells. Species-specific ADK antibodies (e.g., human, mouse, rat) facilitate cross-species studies, while phosphorylation-specific variants aid in analyzing post-translational modifications. Validation of these antibodies ensures specificity, minimizing cross-reactivity with related kinases. Recent studies also explore ADK's role in epigenetic regulation via its interaction with methylation pathways, expanding its relevance in disease mechanisms. Researchers rely on ADK antibodies to uncover its therapeutic potential in disorders involving adenosine imbalance.