The SUPT5H antibody targets the Suppressor of Ty 5 Homolog (SUPT5H) protein, also known as SPT5 or KOW, which is encoded by the SUPT5H gene in humans. This protein is a critical component of the SPT4/SPT5 complex, a transcription elongation factor that regulates RNA polymerase II (Pol II) during mRNA synthesis. The SPT4/SPT5 heterodimer, part of the DRB sensitivity-inducing factor (DSIF), modulates transcriptional pausing, elongation efficiency, and termination, playing a dual role in promoting or inhibiting transcription depending on cellular context.
SUPT5H antibodies are widely used in molecular biology research to investigate transcriptional regulation mechanisms. They enable detection and quantification of SUPT5H expression via techniques like Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence. These antibodies also facilitate studies on SUPT5H’s interaction with other transcriptional machinery components, such as P-TEFb or viral proteins like HIV-1 Tat, which hijack the SPT4/SPT5 complex for viral replication.
Research involving SUPT5H antibodies has shed light on its roles in diseases, including cancers (e.g., leukemia, solid tumors) and neurodevelopmental disorders linked to SUPT5H mutations. Additionally, studies explore its involvement in chromatin remodeling, DNA repair, and epigenetic regulation. Commercial SUPT5H antibodies are typically raised in rabbits or mice, validated for specificity across human and model organisms, and serve as essential tools for dissecting transcriptional dysregulation in health and disease.