The platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα) is a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor that plays a critical role in regulating cell growth, differentiation, and tissue development. It belongs to the PDGFR family, which also includes PDGFRβ. PDGFRα binds primarily to PDGF-AA, PDGF-BB, and PDGF-CC ligands, triggering receptor dimerization, autophosphorylation, and activation of downstream signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT, MAPK/ERK, and JAK/STAT. These pathways influence cellular processes like proliferation, migration, and survival.
PDGFRα antibodies are essential tools for studying receptor expression, localization, and activation in both physiological and pathological contexts. In research, they are widely used in techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and flow cytometry to analyze PDGFRα levels in tissues or cell lines. Aberrant PDGFRα signaling is implicated in cancers (e.g., glioblastoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumors), fibrosis, and cardiovascular diseases, making these antibodies valuable for mechanistic studies and biomarker identification.
Therapeutic PDGFRα-targeting antibodies or inhibitors are also being explored to block overactive signaling in diseases. Additionally, mutations in PDGFRα are linked to genetic disorders, such as familial gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Researchers rely on validated PDGFRα antibodies with high specificity to ensure accurate detection, particularly given structural similarities between PDGFRα and PDGFRβ. Commercial antibodies often target extracellular or intracellular domains, with clone-specific applications in diagnostics or functional assays.