The nuclear receptor subfamily 5 group A member 2 (NR5A2), also known as liver receptor homolog-1 (LRH-1), is a transcription factor belonging to the nuclear receptor superfamily. It plays critical roles in embryonic development, metabolic regulation, and cellular proliferation. NR5A2 is expressed in tissues such as the liver, pancreas, intestines, and ovaries, where it regulates genes involved in cholesterol/bile acid homeostasis, steroidogenesis, and stem cell pluripotency. Dysregulation of NR5A2 has been linked to cancers (e.g., pancreatic, colorectal), liver diseases, and metabolic disorders.
NR5A2 antibodies are essential tools for studying its expression, localization, and function. These antibodies are commonly generated against specific epitopes, such as the N-terminal or C-terminal domains, and validated for applications like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and chromatin immunoprecipitation. Due to structural similarities with other nuclear receptors, antibody specificity is rigorously tested using knockout controls. Variability in antibody performance across studies highlights the importance of clone validation. Research utilizing NR5A2 antibodies has advanced understanding of its role in disease pathways, drug metabolism (via CYP enzyme regulation), and potential therapeutic targeting. Challenges remain in standardizing assays, particularly given its post-translational modifications and tissue-specific isoforms.