The MARCKS (Myristoylated Alanine-Rich C Kinase Substrate) antibody is a critical tool for studying the MARCKS protein, a ubiquitously expressed intracellular substrate of protein kinase C (PKC). MARCKS plays a pivotal role in cell signaling, membrane-cytoskeleton interactions, and cellular processes like migration, secretion, and neurodevelopment. It binds to calcium-calmodulin and actin filaments, regulating membrane dynamics and PKC-mediated signaling cascades. The antibody specifically detects MARCKS or its phosphorylated forms, enabling researchers to investigate its expression, localization, and post-translational modifications across various biological contexts.
MARCKS antibodies are widely used in cancer research, as MARCKS overexpression or dysregulation is linked to tumor progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. They also aid in studying neurodevelopmental disorders, inflammation, and infectious diseases where MARCKS modulates host-pathogen interactions. Common applications include Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. Developing high-specificity MARCKS antibodies remains challenging due to structural similarities with related proteins, emphasizing the need for rigorous validation. Overall, these antibodies are indispensable for unraveling MARCKS' multifaceted roles in physiology and disease.