The PUM3 antibody is a tool used to detect and study Pumilio homolog 3 (PUM3), a member of the evolutionarily conserved Pumilio/FBF (PUF) family of RNA-binding proteins. PUM3 contains characteristic PUF repeats that enable sequence-specific binding to target mRNAs, typically recognizing an 8-nucleotide motif in their 3' untranslated regions (3'UTRs). This interaction facilitates post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression by influencing mRNA stability, translation, or localization.
PUM3 plays roles in diverse biological processes, including neurodevelopment, gametogenesis, and cellular stress responses. Dysregulation of PUM3 has been linked to neurological disorders, such as spinocerebellar ataxia, and certain cancers, highlighting its importance in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Compared to its paralogs PUM1 and PUM2. PUM3 exhibits distinct RNA-binding preferences and regulatory targets, suggesting functional specialization within the PUF protein family.
Antibodies against PUM3 are widely used in techniques like Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunoprecipitation to investigate its expression patterns, subcellular localization, and molecular interactions. These tools are critical for elucidating PUM3's mechanistic roles in RNA-mediated gene regulation and its potential as a therapeutic target or biomarker in disease contexts. Validation of PUM3 antibody specificity remains essential due to structural similarities among PUF proteins.