The DTYMK (deoxythymidylate kinase) antibody is a research tool targeting the enzyme encoded by the DTYMK gene, which plays a critical role in DNA synthesis and repair. DTYMK catalyzes the phosphorylation of deoxythymidine monophosphate (dTMP) to deoxythymidine diphosphate (dTDP), a rate-limiting step in the thymidine nucleotide salvage pathway. This pathway is essential for maintaining balanced dNTP pools required for genome replication and stability. Dysregulation of DTYMK has been implicated in cancer progression, as rapidly proliferating cells rely heavily on nucleotide metabolism.
DTYMK antibodies are primarily used to study protein expression, localization, and function in cellular models or clinical samples. They enable detection via techniques like Western blot, immunohistochemistry, or immunofluorescence. Researchers employ these antibodies to explore DTYMK's role in cancer biology, particularly its association with chemotherapeutic resistance (e.g., 5-fluorouracil) and prognosis. Elevated DTYMK levels in tumors, such as colorectal or gastric cancers, have been linked to poor survival, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target or biomarker.
Commercial DTYMK antibodies are typically developed using immunogenic peptides or recombinant protein fragments. Validation includes specificity tests (knockdown/knockout controls) and application-specific performance checks. Ongoing studies focus on clarifying its mechanistic contributions to oncogenesis and optimizing antibody reliability for diagnostic or translational applications.