STARD5 (StAR-related lipid transfer domain protein 5) is a member of the STARD family of lipid transport proteins, which are characterized by a conserved steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR)-related lipid transfer (START) domain. Unlike other STARD members involved in steroidogenesis or phospholipid trafficking, STARD5 is primarily associated with intracellular cholesterol transport and homeostasis. It is expressed in tissues with high metabolic activity, such as the liver, kidneys, and macrophages, where it interacts with cholesterol-rich membranes, including the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi apparatus. STARD5 is implicated in cellular responses to cholesterol overload and oxidative stress, potentially acting as a sensor or regulator of lipid balance under pathological conditions like atherosclerosis or metabolic syndrome.
Antibodies targeting STARD5 are essential tools for studying its expression, localization, and function. They enable detection via techniques such as Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry, aiding research into its role in lipid metabolism disorders, inflammation, and diseases linked to ER stress. Commercial STARD5 antibodies are typically raised in rabbits or mice using peptide antigens derived from conserved regions of the human or murine protein. Validation includes testing for specificity using knockout controls or siRNA-mediated silencing. Reliable STARD5 antibodies are critical for elucidating its mechanistic contributions to lipid trafficking pathways and its potential as a therapeutic target in metabolic and inflammatory diseases.