The COX8C antibody targets the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 8C (COX8C), a component of the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex IV (cytochrome c oxidase). This enzyme catalyzes the final step in the electron transport chain, transferring electrons to oxygen to form water while driving ATP synthesis. COX8C, one of several tissue-specific isoforms of subunit VIII, is primarily expressed in energy-demanding tissues such as heart, skeletal muscle, and testes. Its expression patterns and regulatory roles in mitochondrial metabolism have drawn interest in studies of cellular bioenergetics, metabolic disorders, and cancer.
COX8C antibodies are widely used as tools to investigate mitochondrial function, protein localization, and expression levels in both normal and pathological states. For example, research has linked altered COX8C expression to conditions like prostate cancer and Leigh syndrome, highlighting its potential as a biomarker. These antibodies are typically validated in applications such as Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry, often with species cross-reactivity (e.g., human, mouse, rat).
As mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in aging and neurodegenerative diseases, COX8C antibodies also contribute to exploring therapeutic targets. Their specificity and reliability make them essential for dissecting the molecular mechanisms of oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial-associated pathologies.