**Background of EMP1 Antibody**
The EMP1 (Epithelial Membrane Protein 1) antibody is a tool used to detect and study the EMP1 protein, a member of the peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) family. EMP1. also known as CL-20. is a transmembrane glycoprotein involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and cell-cell interactions. It plays roles in lipid metabolism, myelination, and signaling pathways, with expression observed in epithelial tissues, the nervous system, and certain cancer cells.
Research highlights EMP1's dual role in cancer: it may act as a tumor suppressor or promoter depending on context. Overexpression of EMP1 is linked to poor prognosis in cancers like glioblastoma and lung adenocarcinoma, where it enhances invasiveness and drug resistance. Conversely, reduced EMP1 expression is associated with tumor progression in other malignancies, suggesting tissue-specific functions.
EMP1 antibodies are utilized in immunohistochemistry (IHC), Western blotting, and flow cytometry to analyze protein localization and expression patterns. These studies help unravel EMP1's involvement in diseases, including neurological disorders (e.g., Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease) and cancers, offering potential as a diagnostic biomarker or therapeutic target. Recent investigations also explore EMP1's interaction with signaling pathways like EGFR and integrins, broadening its relevance in cellular communication and disease mechanisms.