PYGB antibody is a research tool targeting the brain isoform of glycogen phosphorylase (PYGB), a key enzyme in glycogen metabolism. Glycogen phosphorylase catalyzes the rate-limiting step of glycogenolysis, breaking down glycogen into glucose-1-phosphate to meet cellular energy demands. The PYGB isoform is predominantly expressed in the brain, heart, and fetal liver, distinguishing it from the muscle (PYGM) and liver (PYGL) isoforms. Its activity is regulated by allosteric effectors and phosphorylation, linking cellular energy status to glycogen utilization.
PYGB's role in maintaining energy homeostasis is particularly critical in tissues with high metabolic demands, such as neurons. Dysregulation of PYGB has been implicated in glycogen storage diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and certain cancers. For example, reduced PYGB activity may contribute to abnormal glycogen accumulation in Alzheimer’s disease, while its overexpression has been observed in glioblastoma, suggesting a potential therapeutic target.
Antibodies against PYGB are widely used in biomedical research to investigate tissue-specific glycogen metabolism, disease mechanisms, and protein localization. They enable detection of PYGB expression levels via Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. Recent studies also explore PYGB's interplay with hypoxia pathways and metabolic reprogramming in tumors. Validation of PYGB antibody specificity remains essential, given the high sequence homology between phosphorylase isoforms. Ongoing research continues to clarify PYGB's pathophysiological significance across neurological and oncological contexts.