The 14-3-3ε antibody is a tool used to study the 14-3-3epsilon (ε) protein, a member of the evolutionarily conserved 14-3-3 protein family. These proteins regulate diverse cellular processes by binding to phosphorylated serine/threonine residues on client proteins, influencing their stability, localization, or interactions. The 14-3-3ε isoform, encoded by the *YWHAE* gene, forms homodimers or heterodimers with other 14-3-3 isoforms to modulate signaling pathways, including cell cycle control, apoptosis, and stress responses. It is highly expressed in the brain and implicated in neuronal development and synaptic plasticity.
Antibodies against 14-3-3ε are widely used in research to detect its expression and phosphorylation-dependent interactions. They enable techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and co-immunoprecipitation to explore its role in diseases. For example, 14-3-3ε dysregulation has been linked to cancer (e.g., glioblastoma, lung cancer) and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. Elevated 14-3-3 proteins in cerebrospinal fluid are also biomarkers for prion diseases.
Commercial 14-3-3ε antibodies are typically validated for specificity, as cross-reactivity with other isoforms (e.g., 14-3-3β, γ) is common due to high sequence homology. Researchers often pair them with knockdown/knockout controls or isoform-specific assays. Understanding 14-3-3ε's functions through these antibodies provides insights into its therapeutic potential as a target for modulating disease-related pathways.