The HSPA4L antibody targets the Heat Shock Protein Family A (HSP70) member 4-like (HSPA4L), a protein belonging to the HSP70 chaperone family. HSPA4L, also known as APG-1 (apoptosis-related protein 1), is a stress-inducible protein involved in cellular responses to environmental stressors, such as heat shock, oxidative stress, or nutrient deprivation. Structurally, it contains conserved HSP70 domains, including a nucleotide-binding domain (NBD) and a substrate-binding domain (SBD), enabling its role in protein folding, assembly, and degradation.
HSPA4L is highly expressed in testis and is implicated in spermatogenesis, though it also shows upregulated expression in certain cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma and glioblastoma, where it may promote tumor cell survival and chemoresistance. Its dual role in apoptosis regulation—pro-survival under stress and pro-death in specific contexts—makes it a complex study target.
The HSPA4L antibody is primarily used in research to detect and quantify HSPA4L expression in tissues or cells via techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, or immunofluorescence. It aids in exploring HSPA4L's functional mechanisms, interactions with co-chaperones, and its potential as a therapeutic or diagnostic biomarker in cancer and reproductive disorders. Commercial antibodies are typically validated for specificity, often through knockout cell line controls, to ensure accurate detection of this ~90 kDa protein. Ongoing studies focus on clarifying its tissue-specific roles and disease associations.