PMEL antibodies target the premelanosome protein (PMEL), a key glycoprotein involved in melanin synthesis and melanosome biogenesis. PMEL, also known as Pmel17 or SILV, is predominantly expressed in melanocytes and retinal pigment epithelial cells. It plays a critical role in forming the fibrillar matrix of melanosomes, the organelles responsible for pigment production and storage. These fibrils provide a scaffold for melanin deposition, ensuring efficient pigment synthesis and distribution in skin, hair, and eyes.
Structurally, PMEL consists of multiple functional domains, including a N-terminal region for trafficking, a PKD domain for fibril formation, and a C-terminal region involved in proteolytic processing. Its maturation involves sequential cleavage by proprotein convertases and γ-secretase, generating fragments that self-assemble into amyloid-like fibrils. This unique amyloidogenic property is non-pathogenic and essential for melanosome function.
PMEL antibodies are widely used in melanoma research, as PMEL overexpression is linked to melanoma progression. They aid in studying melanocyte development, pigmentation disorders (e.g., albinism), and melanoma biomarker discovery. Common applications include immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and flow cytometry to track melanosome dynamics, melanocyte differentiation, or tumor-specific PMEL isoforms. Additionally, PMEL serves as a model for amyloid research due to its physiological fibril formation.