The AUP1 (Ancient Ubiquitous Protein 1) antibody is a tool used to study the AUP1 protein, a multifunctional enzyme involved in cellular processes such as endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated degradation (ERAD), lipid droplet regulation, and autophagy. AUP1 contains a ubiquitin-binding UBX domain and a conserved LC3-interacting region, enabling its role in bridging ubiquitination and autophagic machinery. It localizes to the ER and lipid droplets, where it interacts with proteins like UBXD8 and GABARAP to mediate lipid homeostasis or target misfolded proteins for proteasomal degradation.
AUP1 antibodies are widely employed in research to investigate its expression, subcellular localization, and interactions. They are used in techniques like Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunoprecipitation. Dysregulation of AUP1 has been linked to metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancers, making its antibody a critical reagent for exploring disease mechanisms. Commercial AUP1 antibodies are typically raised against specific epitopes (e.g., human AUP1 amino acids 100-200) and validated for cross-reactivity in various species (human, mouse, rat). Recent studies highlight AUP1's role in viral infection pathways, further underscoring its biomedical relevance. Proper controls, such as knockout cell lines, are recommended to confirm antibody specificity due to potential cross-reactivity with structurally similar proteins.