RAB4 Antibodies

RAB4 antibodies are designed to detect RAB4, a member of the RAB family of small GTPases that plays a pivotal role in endocytic vesicle trafficking. RAB4 is primarily involved in the regulation of early endosome recycling, controlling the rapid recycling of membrane receptors and other cargo from early endosomes back to the plasma membrane.

Applications of RAB4 Antibodies

• Western Blotting (WB): RAB4 antibodies are commonly used in western blotting to detect and quantify RAB4 expression in cell and tissue lysates. This application helps in studying changes in RAB4 levels during endocytosis, signaling, or disease progression.
• Immunohistochemistry (IHC): RAB4 antibodies are employed in IHC to visualize the localization of RAB4 in tissue sections, providing insights into its role in endocytic recycling pathways in different tissues and organs.
• Immunofluorescence (IF): In immunofluorescence assays, RAB4 antibodies allow researchers to study the intracellular localization of RAB4 in endosomes and plasma membranes. This application is critical for investigating the dynamics of receptor recycling and endocytic trafficking.
• Immunoprecipitation (IP): RAB4 antibodies can be used to pull down RAB4 protein from cell lysates to study its interactions with effector proteins involved in vesicle trafficking, allowing for an in-depth analysis of its role in receptor sorting and recycling.

RAB4 Antibodies in Disease Research

• Cancer: Dysregulation of RAB4-mediated receptor recycling can affect cell signaling pathways that drive cancer progression. For example, altered recycling of growth factor receptors can promote sustained cell growth and survival in cancer cells. RAB4 antibodies are used in cancer research to study how disruptions in endocytic trafficking contribute to tumorigenesis and metastasis.
• Neurodegenerative Diseases: Proper endocytic recycling is essential for neuronal function, and disruptions in RAB4 activity can contribute to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. RAB4 antibodies help researchers investigate how endocytic dysfunction leads to the accumulation of misfolded proteins and neuronal degeneration.
• Metabolic Disorders: RAB4 is involved in the regulation of glucose transporter (GLUT) recycling, which is critical for maintaining glucose homeostasis. Dysregulation of RAB4-mediated trafficking pathways can contribute to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

RAB4 antibodies are critical tools for studying the molecular mechanisms underlying endocytic trafficking and receptor recycling. By facilitating the detection and localization of RAB4 in various experimental models, these antibodies provide valuable insights into how RAB4 regulates vesicle sorting and trafficking in normal physiology and diseases.