UACA (Uveal Autoantigen with Coiled-Coil Domains and Ankyrin Repeats) is a multifunctional protein implicated in apoptosis, autophagy, and immune regulation. Initially identified as an autoantigen in autoimmune uveitis, UACA is expressed in various tissues, localized to the cytoplasm and perinuclear regions. Its structure includes coiled-coil domains and ankyrin repeats, facilitating interactions with proteins like LC3 (in autophagy) and NF-κB (in inflammation).
UACA antibodies are primarily studied in autoimmune diseases and cancer. In autoimmune contexts, anti-UACA antibodies are detected in conditions such as autoimmune hepatitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease, suggesting a role in immune dysregulation. In oncology, UACA overexpression correlates with tumor progression in melanoma, lung cancer, and glioblastoma. It may regulate apoptosis resistance and metastasis, making it a potential therapeutic target or prognostic marker.
Research on UACA antibodies employs techniques like immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, and ELISA to assess their diagnostic or pathogenic significance. However, their exact mechanisms in disease remain unclear. Some studies propose UACA’s involvement in cross-presenting autoantigens, triggering autoreactive T-cell responses, while others highlight its tumor-specific immunogenicity. Further investigations are needed to clarify its dual roles in immunity and cancer, as well as the clinical utility of UACA antibodies in biomarker development or targeted therapies.