The MRPL40 antibody is a research tool designed to detect mitochondrial ribosomal protein L40 (MRPL40), a component of the large subunit of the mitochondrial ribosome. MRPL40 is encoded by nuclear DNA and plays a critical role in mitochondrial translation, a process essential for synthesizing proteins required for oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). These proteins are integral to the electron transport chain, which generates ATP, the primary energy currency of the cell. MRPL40's function is closely tied to cellular metabolism, energy homeostasis, and mitochondrial integrity.
Antibodies targeting MRPL40 are commonly used in techniques like Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry to study its expression, localization, and interactions. Researchers employ these antibodies to investigate mitochondrial dysfunction in diseases such as metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative conditions, and cancer, where altered mitochondrial protein synthesis or energy production is implicated. MRPL40 expression levels may also serve as a biomarker for mitochondrial activity in pathological states.
Commercial MRPL40 antibodies are typically raised in hosts like rabbits or mice, using immunogenic peptides specific to human MRPL40. Validation often includes testing on knockout cell lines or tissues to confirm specificity. Due to its role in fundamental cellular processes, MRPL40 remains a protein of interest in studies linking mitochondrial biology to disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets.