The ZBTB4 antibody is a crucial tool for studying the zinc finger and BTB domain-containing protein 4 (ZBTB4), a transcription factor implicated in gene regulation and cancer biology. ZBTB4 belongs to the BTB-ZF protein family, characterized by an N-terminal BTB domain for protein interactions and C-terminal zinc finger motifs for DNA binding. It acts as a transcriptional repressor, modulating cellular processes like proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis by targeting genes involved in cell cycle control (e.g., p21) or oncogenic pathways (e.g., MYC).
Research highlights ZBTB4's role in cancer, where it often functions as a tumor suppressor. It antagonizes DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B), thereby influencing epigenetic regulation, and its downregulation is linked to poor prognosis in cancers like breast and colorectal. ZBTB4 antibodies enable detection of its expression in tissues or cell lines via techniques such as Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. These antibodies are essential for exploring ZBTB4's interactions with chromatin, its subcellular localization, and its regulatory networks.
Validated ZBTB4 antibodies typically undergo specificity tests, including knockout controls, to ensure accurate target recognition. Their applications span basic research on transcriptional mechanisms to translational studies assessing ZBTB4's potential as a diagnostic or therapeutic biomarker in oncology.