The P4HB antibody targets the protein Prolyl 4-Hydroxylase Beta Subunit (P4HB), also known as Protein Disulfide Isomerase A1 (PDIA1), a member of the protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) family. P4HB is a multifunctional enzyme primarily located in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where it plays critical roles in protein folding, oxidative maturation, and quality control. It catalyzes the formation and isomerization of disulfide bonds during post-translational modification of nascent polypeptides, ensuring proper tertiary structure. Additionally, P4HB acts as the beta subunit of prolyl 4-hydroxylase, an enzyme essential for collagen biosynthesis by hydroxylating proline residues in procollagen, a step vital for collagen stability and extracellular matrix formation.
P4HB is implicated in various physiological and pathological processes, including ER stress response, tissue fibrosis, and tumor progression. Its overexpression has been observed in cancers, where it supports tumor cell survival, metastasis, and drug resistance by mitigating ER stress and enhancing protein folding capacity. P4HB antibodies are widely used in research to study its expression, localization, and function in diseases. Applications include Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence to investigate P4HB's role in cellular stress pathways, collagen metabolism, and cancer biology. These antibodies are valuable tools for understanding mechanisms underlying fibrosis, cancer, and other conditions linked to ER dysfunction or aberrant protein homeostasis.