The methionine adenosyltransferase 2 alpha (MAT2A) antibody is a research tool designed to detect and study the MAT2A enzyme, a critical player in methionine metabolism. MAT2A catalyzes the synthesis of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), the primary methyl donor for methylation reactions essential for DNA/RNA modification, protein regulation, and neurotransmitter synthesis. Unlike its isoform MAT1A (liver-specific), MAT2A is widely expressed in extrahepatic tissues, including the brain, kidneys, and proliferating cells, making it vital during development and cellular growth. Dysregulation of MAT2A is linked to pathologies such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and liver diseases, where altered SAMe levels disrupt epigenetic and metabolic homeostasis.
MAT2A antibodies are commonly used in techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence to assess protein expression, localization, and abundance in disease models or drug-response studies. They aid in exploring MAT2A's role in cancer progression, particularly in tumors reliant on methionine cycle activity, and its potential as a therapeutic target. Recent interest has surged due to MAT2A inhibitors being investigated for cancers with methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) deletions. These antibodies are typically validated for specificity across species (human, mouse, rat) and sample types (cell lysates, tissues), ensuring reliability in both basic and translational research. Their application advances understanding of cellular metabolism and supports drug discovery efforts targeting SAMe-dependent pathways.