The ERCC3 (Excision Repair Cross-Complementation Group 3) antibody is a tool used to detect the ERCC3 protein, a critical component of the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway responsible for correcting DNA damage caused by UV radiation and chemical adducts. ERCC3. also known as XPB, functions as a DNA helicase within the TFIIH (transcription factor IIH) complex, playing dual roles in DNA repair and transcription initiation. It unwinds DNA around lesion sites during NER and assists RNA polymerase II in promoter escape during transcription.
Mutations in the ERCC3 gene are linked to xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) complementation group B, a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by extreme UV sensitivity, predisposition to skin cancers, and neurological abnormalities. ERCC3 defects are also associated with combined features of XP and Cockayne syndrome (CS), highlighting its broader role in genome stability.
ERCC3 antibodies are widely used in research to study DNA repair mechanisms, transcription regulation, and disease pathology. They enable detection of ERCC3 expression via techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. Such studies help elucidate its interaction partners, cellular localization, and dysregulation in cancer or aging-related disorders. Additionally, these antibodies may have diagnostic potential in identifying ERCC3 mutations or assessing therapeutic responses in precision oncology.