The SLC16A7 antibody targets the solute carrier family 16 member 7 (SLC16A7), also known as monocarboxylate transporter 2 (MCT2). This integral membrane protein facilitates the proton-coupled transport of monocarboxylates, such as lactate, pyruvate, and ketone bodies, across cellular membranes. MCT2 is highly expressed in metabolically active tissues, including the brain, skeletal muscle, and testes, where it plays a critical role in energy metabolism by shuttling lactate between cells (e.g., astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle) and regulating intracellular pH.
Antibodies against SLC16A7 are widely used in research to study its expression, localization, and functional roles in health and disease. They enable detection via techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF). Dysregulation of MCT2 has been implicated in neurological disorders (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease), cancer metabolism (e.g., Warburg effect), and metabolic syndromes, making SLC16A7 antibodies valuable tools for exploring these pathways.
Commercial SLC16A7 antibodies are typically raised in rabbits or mice using peptide antigens derived from conserved regions of the human protein. Specificity and validation data (e.g., knockout controls) are crucial due to potential cross-reactivity with other MCT isoforms. Researchers often employ these antibodies to investigate tissue-specific expression patterns or therapeutic targeting of monocarboxylate transport in pathological conditions.