The ATP6V1A antibody targets the ATP6V1A protein, a key subunit of the vacuolar-type H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) complex. V-ATPases are evolutionarily conserved proton pumps that acidify intracellular compartments like lysosomes, endosomes, and secretory vesicles, maintaining pH gradients critical for processes such as protein degradation, membrane trafficking, and synaptic transmission. The ATP6V1A subunit is part of the V1 domain, which hydrolyzes ATP to drive proton translocation across membranes. Dysregulation of ATP6V1A is implicated in diseases ranging from cancer to neurodegenerative disorders, as altered lysosomal pH disrupts cellular homeostasis.
Antibodies against ATP6V1A are widely used in research to study V-ATPase localization, expression, and function. They enable detection via techniques like Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry, aiding investigations into organelle acidification defects or V-ATPase-related pathologies. For example, ATP6V1A mutations cause autosomal recessive cutis laxa and neurodevelopmental disorders, making these antibodies valuable for diagnosing genetic conditions or validating disease models.
Commercial ATP6V1A antibodies are typically raised in rabbits or mice using peptide immunogens, with validation in knockouts or knockdown systems to ensure specificity. Researchers also employ them to explore V-ATPase roles in tumor microenvironment acidification, a mechanism linked to chemotherapy resistance. Overall, ATP6V1A antibodies serve as essential tools for dissecting cellular physiology and disease mechanisms tied to proton transport dysregulation.