**Background of GCLC Antibody**
Glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) is a critical enzyme in glutathione (GSH) biosynthesis, catalyzing the rate-limiting step of GSH production. GCLC combines glutamate and cysteine to form γ-glutamylcysteine, which is subsequently converted to GSH. As the primary cellular antioxidant, GSH plays a vital role in detoxification, redox homeostasis, and defense against oxidative stress. Dysregulation of GCLC expression or activity is implicated in various pathological conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, liver disorders, and aging-related oxidative damage.
GCLC antibodies are essential tools for detecting and quantifying GCLC protein levels in research. They are widely used in techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence to study GCLC expression patterns in tissues or cells under different experimental conditions, such as oxidative stress, drug treatments, or genetic modifications. These antibodies aid in exploring the molecular mechanisms linking GCLC dysfunction to disease pathogenesis. For example, reduced GCLC levels are associated with increased susceptibility to oxidative damage, while overexpression may contribute to chemoresistance in cancers.
Most GCLC antibodies are developed using immunogenic peptides from conserved regions of the human GCLC protein. Validation often includes specificity testing via knockout controls or siRNA knockdown. Their applications span basic research, biomarker discovery, and therapeutic target validation, underscoring their importance in understanding redox biology and oxidative stress-related diseases.