The PRPF8 antibody targets the PRPF8 protein, a critical component of the spliceosome responsible for pre-mRNA processing in eukaryotic cells. PRPF8 (pre-mRNA processing factor 8) is a highly conserved, multidomain protein that serves as a scaffolding element within the U5 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) complex. It plays an essential role in spliceosome assembly, catalytic activation, and splicing fidelity by mediating interactions between spliceosomal components and the pre-mRNA substrate. PRPF8 contains multiple functional domains, including a Jab1/MPN domain, a RNA recognition motif (RRM), and a conserved C-terminal region, which facilitate its binding to snRNAs, proteins, and regulatory factors.
PRPF8 antibodies are widely used in molecular biology and biomedical research to study spliceosome dynamics, RNA splicing mechanisms, and disease-associated dysregulation. Mutations in PRPF8 are linked to human diseases, notably autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP), making these antibodies valuable tools for investigating disease pathogenesis. In experimental settings, PRPF8 antibodies are employed in techniques such as Western blotting, immunofluorescence, immunoprecipitation, and CRISPR/Cas9 validation to assess protein expression, localization, and interactions. Commercial PRPF8 antibodies are typically raised against specific epitopes, often within the N-terminal or C-terminal regions, and validated for cross-reactivity across species, including humans, mice, and zebrafish. Their application extends to cancer research, neurodegenerative studies, and developmental biology, underscoring PRPF8's broad functional significance in cellular homeostasis and disease.