The SLC45A3 antibody targets the solute carrier family 45 member 3 (SLC45A3), a transmembrane protein implicated in melanin synthesis and cellular transport processes. SLC45A3. also known as prostein, is encoded by the SLC45A3 gene located on chromosome 1q32.1. It belongs to the SLC45 transporter family, which shares structural similarities with plant sucrose transporters. While its exact physiological role remains under investigation, SLC45A3 is highly expressed in prostate epithelial cells and has been linked to prostate cancer progression. Notably, SLC45A3-ERG gene fusions, resulting from chromosomal translocations, are recurrent events in prostate cancer and may drive oncogenesis.
Antibodies against SLC45A3 are widely used in research to study protein expression, localization, and regulatory mechanisms in normal and diseased tissues. They are employed in techniques like immunohistochemistry (IHC), Western blotting, and immunofluorescence to assess SLC45A3's tissue-specific distribution and potential as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker. In prostate cancer research, these antibodies help detect SLC45A3 overexpression or fusion protein products. Specificity validation, including knockdown/knockout controls, is critical due to homology with other SLC45 family members. Commercial antibodies are typically raised against peptide sequences within the N-terminal or central regions of the protein. Recent studies also explore its role in other cancers, such as melanoma, emphasizing its broader relevance in oncology and cellular transport biology.