The protein kinase A (PKA) catalytic subunit alpha (PRKACA) is a critical enzyme in the cAMP-dependent signaling pathway, regulating diverse cellular processes such as metabolism, gene expression, and cell cycle progression. PRKACA antibodies are tools designed to detect and study this kinase in research and diagnostic contexts. These antibodies target specific epitopes on PRKACA, enabling applications like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence to visualize protein expression, localization, and post-translational modifications.
PRKACA dysfunction is implicated in various diseases. For example, somatic mutations or aberrant expression of PRKACA are linked to cortisol-producing adrenal tumors (e.g., Cushing’s syndrome) and cardiac hypertrophy. Antibodies against PRKACA help investigate these mechanisms by identifying overexpression or activating mutations in tissue samples. They also aid in validating experimental models, such as CRISPR-edited cell lines or animal models, to study PKA-related pathways.
Commercial PRKACA antibodies are typically raised in hosts like rabbits or mice, with validation across species (human, mouse, rat). Specificity is confirmed using knockout controls or peptide blocking assays. Researchers prioritize antibodies with high affinity and minimal cross-reactivity to other PKA subunits (e.g., PRKACB, PRKACG). As PKA signaling intersects with numerous therapeutic targets, PRKACA antibodies remain vital for unraveling disease biology and drug discovery efforts.