The RBM8A antibody is a tool used to detect RBM8A (RNA Binding Motif Protein 8A), a protein encoded by the *RBM8A* gene located on human chromosome 1q21.1. RBM8A, also known as Y14. is a core component of the exon junction complex (EJC), which plays a critical role in mRNA processing, including splicing, surveillance, and export. It interacts with other EJC proteins, such as MAGOH, to regulate gene expression and maintain RNA stability. RBM8A is involved in nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), a quality control mechanism that degrades transcripts with premature stop codons.
Mutations or deletions in *RBM8A* are linked to developmental disorders, notably TAR syndrome (thrombocytopenia-absent radius), characterized by blood and skeletal abnormalities. Dysregulation of RBM8A has also been implicated in cancers, such as glioblastoma and colorectal cancer, where it may influence tumor progression via aberrant RNA metabolism.
RBM8A antibodies are widely used in research to study its expression, localization, and interactions using techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. These antibodies help elucidate its role in RNA biology and disease mechanisms. Specificity and validation (e.g., knockout cell lines) are critical to ensure accurate detection, given its homology with other RNA-binding proteins. Understanding RBM8A's functions through antibody-based assays contributes to insights into genetic disorders and potential therapeutic targets.