GABARAP (Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor-associated protein) is a ubiquitin-like protein belonging to the Atg8 protein family, which plays critical roles in autophagy, a conserved cellular degradation process. Initially identified for its interaction with GABAA receptors in the central nervous system, GABARAP is involved in receptor trafficking and synaptic function. However, its primary function extends to autophagy, where it participates in autophagosome formation, cargo recruitment, and lysosomal fusion. GABARAP facilitates the lipidation of LC3 (another Atg8 homolog) and mediates membrane tethering events during autophagosome maturation.
Antibodies targeting GABARAP are essential tools for studying autophagy dynamics, neurodevelopment, and disease mechanisms. They are widely used in techniques like Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and co-immunoprecipitation to detect expression levels, subcellular localization, and protein interactions. GABARAP dysregulation has been implicated in neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases), cancer, and metabolic syndromes, making its antibodies valuable for both basic research and clinical diagnostics.
Studies also highlight GABARAP’s role beyond autophagy, including apoptosis, innate immunity, and organelle organization. Its antibodies help elucidate crosstalk between these pathways, particularly under stress conditions. Researchers often use GABARAP antibodies alongside other autophagy markers (e.g., LC3B, p62) to comprehensively assess autophagic flux. Validated specificity and cross-reactivity checks are critical, given the high homology among Atg8 family members. Overall, GABARAP antibodies serve as pivotal reagents for decoding cellular homeostasis and disease pathology linked to autophagy and membrane trafficking.