ATR (Ataxia-Telangiectasia and Rad3-related) antibody is a critical tool for studying the ATR protein, a serine/threonine kinase central to the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway. ATR, part of the PI3K-related kinase (PIKK) family, is activated by single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) generated during replication stress, DNA damage, or resection of double-strand breaks. It coordinates cell cycle checkpoints, stabilizes stalled replication forks, and promotes DNA repair, ensuring genome stability. Dysregulation of ATR is linked to cancer, neurodegeneration, and developmental disorders.
ATR antibodies are widely used in research to detect ATR expression, monitor its activation (e.g., phosphorylation at specific residues like Ser428), and investigate interactions with DDR partners (e.g., ATRIP, TOPBP1). Applications include Western blotting, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and co-immunoprecipitation. Commercial antibodies are typically validated for specificity across human, mouse, and rat models.
In cancer biology, ATR inhibitors are explored as therapies to target DDR-deficient tumors. ATR antibodies help assess inhibitor efficacy and identify biomarkers for patient stratification. Additionally, they aid in studying ATR's role in replication stress responses induced by chemotherapy or radiation. Robust validation of these antibodies is essential, as off-target binding can complicate interpretations. Overall, ATR antibodies remain indispensable for unraveling DDR mechanisms and advancing precision oncology.