The IPO9 antibody targets Importin-9 (IPO9), a member of the importin-β family of nuclear transport receptors. IPO9 facilitates the transport of proteins and RNA molecules between the cytoplasm and nucleus by binding cargoes through specific recognition signals, such as nuclear localization sequences (NLS). Unlike classical importins, IPO9 functions independently of importin-α, enabling direct interaction with cargoes like ribosomal proteins, histones, and certain viral components. This unique transport mechanism is critical for cellular processes, including ribosome biogenesis, chromatin assembly, and gene regulation.
Research on IPO9 has highlighted its role in cancer progression, viral infections, and developmental biology. Dysregulation of IPO9-mediated transport is linked to tumorigenesis, as it influences the nuclear import of oncoproteins or tumor suppressors. Additionally, IPO9 interacts with viral proteins to aid pathogen replication, making it a potential therapeutic target. Antibodies against IPO9 are widely used in techniques like Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry to study its expression, localization, and interactions in cellular models or clinical samples. These tools have advanced understanding of IPO9's functional diversity and its implications in disease pathways.