**Background of COX7C Antibody**
The cytochrome c oxidase subunit 7C (COX7C) is a nuclear-encoded subunit of mitochondrial Complex IV, a critical component of the electron transport chain (ETC) responsible for cellular ATP production. As part of the heme-copper oxidase family, Complex IV catalyzes the final step of oxidative phosphorylation by transferring electrons to oxygen, driving proton translocation and energy generation. COX7C is one of several accessory subunits that stabilize the catalytic core of Complex IV and regulate its assembly or activity.
COX7C antibodies are essential tools for studying mitochondrial function, energy metabolism, and diseases linked to ETC dysfunction, such as mitochondrial disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. These antibodies are widely used in techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF) to detect COX7C expression levels, subcellular localization, and interactions. Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against COX7C are typically raised using peptide antigens derived from conserved regions of the human protein, ensuring cross-reactivity in common model organisms.
Recent studies highlight COX7C's role in modulating cellular responses to metabolic stress, making its antibody valuable in cancer research (e.g., tumor metabolism) and aging studies. However, challenges include ensuring specificity, as mitochondrial proteins often share epitopes, and optimizing protocols for mitochondrial enrichment to reduce background noise. Proper validation using knockout controls or siRNA knockdown is critical for reliable data interpretation.