The WNT5A antibody is a crucial tool for studying the WNT5A protein, a member of the Wnt family of secreted glycoproteins. WNT5A plays a pivotal role in non-canonical Wnt signaling pathways, such as planar cell polarity and Wnt/Ca²+ signaling, which regulate embryonic development, cell migration, polarity, and tissue homeostasis. Dysregulation of WNT5A is implicated in diverse pathologies, including cancer (e.g., melanoma, breast, and lung cancers), inflammatory diseases, and developmental disorders. Its dual role as a tumor promoter or suppressor, depending on cellular context, makes it a focus of oncology research.
WNT5A antibodies are widely used in techniques like Western blotting (WB), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF) to detect protein expression, localization, and post-translational modifications. These antibodies target specific epitopes, with monoclonal antibodies (e.g., clones 3D2. 5F10-F8) offering high specificity, while polyclonal variants may detect multiple isoforms. Validation often involves recombinant protein reactivity or knockout cell line controls to ensure specificity, given WNT5A’s homology with other Wnt family members.
Research applications span cancer biology, developmental studies, and stem cell regulation. Challenges include cross-reactivity and variability in tissue-specific isoforms. Commercially available antibodies from suppliers like Abcam, Cell Signaling, and R&D Systems are optimized for distinct experimental workflows, emphasizing the need for context-dependent validation.