AHNAK antibodies target the AHNAK nucleoprotein, a large (~700 kDa) scaffolding protein involved in cell membrane repair, cytoskeletal organization, and calcium signaling. Initially identified as a gene dysregulated in neuroblastoma, AHNAK is expressed in various tissues, including cardiac and skeletal muscle, epithelial cells, and neurons. Its structure features multiple repeating domains, enabling interactions with proteins like dysferlin, S100 calcium-binding proteins, and protein kinase C isoforms, which underpin its role in cell adhesion, motility, and signal transduction.
AHNAK's dual localization (nucleus/cytoplasm) and involvement in cancer progression (e.g., metastasis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition) have driven interest in developing antibodies for research and diagnostics. Commercially available AHNAK antibodies (polyclonal/monoclonal) are primarily used in Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry to study its expression patterns in diseases like cardiomyopathy, muscular dystrophy, and cancers (breast, lung, melanoma). However, antibody specificity remains a challenge due to AHNAK's size and repetitive domains, requiring careful validation via knockout controls.
Recent studies highlight AHNAK's potential as a cancer biomarker or therapeutic target, though conflicting data on its pro- or anti-tumor roles necessitate further investigation. Research-grade antibodies thus play a critical role in elucidating AHNAK's context-dependent functions in cellular homeostasis and pathology.