The USO1 antibody targets the USO1 protein (Unconventional SNARE in the Golgi apparatus 1), also known as Vesicle Transport Factor (Vigor), which plays a critical role in intracellular vesicle trafficking and Golgi apparatus maintenance. USO1 is a tethering factor involved in the formation and organization of the Golgi cisternae, facilitating the docking and fusion of transport vesicles through interactions with SNARE proteins. It is essential for maintaining Golgi structure and ensuring efficient protein sorting, modification, and secretion. Dysregulation of USO1 has been linked to Golgi fragmentation, impaired secretion, and cellular stress, with potential implications in neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.
Antibodies against USO1 are widely used in research to study Golgi dynamics, vesicle transport mechanisms, and cellular responses to secretory pathway disruptions. They enable detection of USO1 expression levels, localization via immunofluorescence, and functional analysis in knockdown/knockout models. Recent studies highlight USO1's role in cancer cell migration and metastasis, as well as its interaction with viral proteins during infection, making it a potential therapeutic target. The USO1 antibody thus serves as a vital tool for exploring Golgi-related pathologies and intracellular trafficking networks.