Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is a multifunctional enzyme complex critical for de novo lipogenesis, catalyzing the synthesis of saturated fatty acids from acetyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA. Overexpression of FASN is observed in various cancers and metabolic disorders, where it supports rapid cell proliferation, membrane synthesis, and energy storage. FASN antibodies are essential tools for studying its expression, localization, and functional roles in both physiological and pathological contexts. These antibodies are widely used in techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF) to quantify FASN levels in tissues or cell lines, aiding research on cancer progression, obesity, and insulin resistance.
Monoclonal FASN antibodies offer high specificity, often targeting distinct epitopes within the enzyme's functional domains (e.g., β-ketoacyl synthase or thioesterase regions), while polyclonal antibodies may detect multiple regions, enhancing sensitivity. Validation via knockout controls or siRNA silencing ensures antibody reliability. Clinically, FASN inhibitors are under investigation as anticancer therapies, making FASN antibodies pivotal for pharmacodynamic studies and biomarker validation. However, cross-reactivity with homologous proteins in certain species requires careful validation. Overall, FASN antibodies remain indispensable for unraveling lipid metabolism dysregulation in disease and exploring targeted therapeutic strategies.