PSMA4 (Proteasome 20S Subunit Alpha 4) is a critical component of the 20S core complex within the 26S proteasome system, responsible for the regulated degradation of ubiquitinated proteins. As part of the α-ring structure, PSMA4 facilitates substrate recognition and gatekeeping, ensuring proteolytic specificity. Dysregulation of proteasome activity is implicated in various pathologies, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and autoimmune diseases, making PSMA4 a research target for understanding protein homeostasis.
Antibodies targeting PSMA4 are essential tools for investigating proteasome composition, assembly, and function. They are widely used in techniques like Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunoprecipitation to detect PSMA4 expression levels, localization, or interactions in cellular or tissue samples. Commercial PSMA4 antibodies are typically raised in rabbits or mice using peptide antigens derived from conserved regions of the human protein, with validation across species (e.g., human, mouse, rat). Specific applications may require verification via knockout controls or siRNA-mediated silencing to confirm antibody specificity. Research involving PSMA4 antibodies spans cancer biology (e.g., drug resistance studies), neuropathology (e.g., aggregate clearance in Alzheimer’s), and immune response modulation, reflecting the proteasome’s broad role in cellular health. Recent studies also explore PSMA4’s potential as a biomarker or therapeutic target in proteasome inhibitor-resistant malignancies.