The MEIOB antibody is a crucial tool in studying meiosis and germ cell development. MEIOB (Meiosis Specific with OB-Fold) is a protein predominantly expressed in germ cells, where it plays a vital role in meiotic recombination and DNA repair. It interacts with components like SPATA22 and RPA to form a complex essential for processing recombination intermediates, ensuring accurate homologous chromosome pairing and crossover formation. MEIOB's OB-fold domain facilitates single-stranded DNA binding, critical for stabilizing recombination sites and resolving DNA breaks.
Research using MEIOB antibodies has revealed its localization to meiotic chromosomes, highlighting its involvement in synapsis and crossover regulation. Mutations or deficiencies in MEIOB are linked to gametogenesis defects, impaired fertility, and conditions like non-obstructive azoospermia in humans. These antibodies enable detection of MEIOB expression patterns, protein-protein interactions, and dynamic changes during meiosis, aiding investigations into infertility mechanisms and genome stability.
Developed for applications such as immunofluorescence, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry, MEIOB antibodies help dissect molecular pathways underlying reproductive health and genetic disorders. Their use in model organisms (e.g., mice) has further elucidated conserved meiotic functions, emphasizing MEIOB's evolutionary significance in sexual reproduction.