The Phospho-PKCα (T638) antibody detects protein kinase C alpha (PKCα) when phosphorylated at threonine 638. a critical post-translational modification regulating its activity. PKCα, a member of the conventional PKC family, plays a central role in cell signaling pathways governing proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and stress responses. Its activation requires phosphorylation at multiple sites, including T638 within the kinase domain’s activation loop. This phosphorylation event, mediated by phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK1) or autophosphorylation, stabilizes the active conformation of PKCα, enabling its interaction with downstream substrates.
Aberrant PKCα activity, linked to phosphorylation status, is implicated in cancer progression, neurodegenerative disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. The Phospho-PKCα (T638) antibody is widely used in research to assess PKCα activation in response to stimuli like growth factors, hormones, or cellular stress. It is applied in techniques such as Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry to study signaling dynamics in cell lines, tissues, or disease models. Researchers often pair it with total PKCα antibodies to evaluate activation ratios. Proper sample preparation (e.g., phosphatase inhibitors) is essential to preserve phosphorylation. This antibody aids in elucidating PKCα’s role in physiological and pathological contexts, offering insights for therapeutic targeting.