The ELAVL3 antibody targets the Embryonic Lethal, Abnormal Vision-like 3 (ELAVL3) protein, a member of the ELAVL/Hu family of RNA-binding proteins. ELAVL3. also known as HuC, is primarily expressed in neurons and plays a critical role in post-transcriptional regulation by stabilizing and modulating the translation of target mRNAs, particularly those involved in neuronal differentiation, synaptic plasticity, and cell survival. It contains three RNA recognition motifs (RRMs) that bind AU-rich elements in mRNA 3'UTRs, influencing stability and protein synthesis under physiological or stress conditions.
ELAVL3 is predominantly found in the central and peripheral nervous systems, with its expression tightly linked to mature neurons, making it a marker for neuronal development and function. Dysregulation of ELAVL3 has been associated with neurological disorders, including epilepsy, neurodegeneration, and neurodevelopmental conditions, as well as cancers like neuroblastoma.
Antibodies against ELAVL3 are widely used in research to study its expression patterns, subcellular localization, and interactions via techniques such as Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunoprecipitation. Specificity validation, including knockout controls, is essential due to structural similarities with other ELAVL family members (e.g., HuR, HuB). These tools help elucidate ELAVL3's role in neural maintenance and disease mechanisms, offering insights into therapeutic targeting.