The EPHA6 antibody is a tool used to detect and study the Ephrin type-A receptor 6 (EPHA6), a member of the Eph receptor family, which constitutes the largest group of transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinases. Eph receptors are divided into two subclasses (EphA and EphB) based on ligand binding specificity and sequence homology. EPHA6 primarily interacts with ephrin-A ligands, mediating bidirectional signaling that regulates cell-cell communication, adhesion, and spatial organization. EPHA6 is implicated in diverse biological processes, including nervous system development, axon guidance, and synaptic plasticity. However, its expression and functional roles are less characterized compared to other Eph receptors, such as EPHA2 or EPHB4.
EPHA6 antibodies are typically generated in animal hosts (e.g., rabbits or mice) using immunogenic peptide sequences specific to the extracellular or intracellular domains of the receptor. These antibodies are essential for applications like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, or immunofluorescence to localize EPHA6 in tissues or quantify its expression in disease models. Due to potential cross-reactivity with homologous Eph receptors, rigorous validation (e.g., knockout controls) is critical to confirm specificity. Research on EPHA6 has gained interest in oncology and neurodevelopmental disorders, as dysregulation of Eph signaling is linked to cancer progression, metastasis, and neurological deficits. However, the functional complexity of EPHA6 and its context-dependent roles remain active areas of investigation.