The RPE65 antibody is a crucial tool in ophthalmic research, primarily targeting the retinal pigment epithelium-specific 65 kDa protein (RPE65), an enzyme essential for the visual cycle. RPE65. expressed in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), catalyzes the conversion of all-trans retinyl esters to 11-cis retinol, a critical step in regenerating visual pigments for phototransduction. Mutations in the RPE65 gene are linked to severe inherited retinal diseases, such as Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP), making the protein a focus of therapeutic development, including gene therapies like voretigene neparvovec (Luxturna).
RPE65 antibodies are widely used to study protein expression, localization, and function in retinal tissues. They enable techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF) to assess RPE65 levels in disease models or therapeutic interventions. These antibodies also aid in diagnosing RPE65-associated disorders and evaluating treatment efficacy in preclinical studies.
Available as monoclonal or polyclonal forms, RPE65 antibodies vary in specificity and application. Monoclonal antibodies offer high reproducibility, while polyclonal versions may detect multiple epitopes, enhancing sensitivity. Selection depends on experimental needs, such as quantifying protein levels or visualizing spatial distribution. Proper validation using controls (e.g., RPE65-deficient samples) is critical to ensure accuracy. Overall, RPE65 antibodies remain indispensable for advancing research into retinal biology and developing therapies for vision-threatening disorders.