PARK Antibodies

PARK (Parkinson’s Disease-associated genes) refer to a group of genes that are linked to the development of Parkinson’s Disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of the brain. Mutations in PARK genes are associated with familial forms of Parkinson’s Disease and have shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and abnormal protein degradation in PD.

Applications of PARK Antibodies

• Immunoprecipitation (IP): PARK antibodies are used to pull down specific PARK proteins and their interacting partners from cell lysates, enabling the study of protein-protein interactions involved in neurodegenerative pathways, such as the interaction between PINK1 and Parkin in mitochondrial quality control.
• ELISA: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) using PARK antibodies can be used to quantify PARK proteins or their modified forms (e.g., phosphorylated α-synuclein) in biological samples, such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or brain extracts. This is important for biomarker discovery and studying disease progression in PD.
• Co-Immunoprecipitation (Co-IP): PARK antibodies are used in Co-IP assays to investigate the interaction of PARK proteins with other cellular components. For example, Parkin and PINK1 antibodies are used to study their role in mitophagy and the cellular response to mitochondrial damage.

Key Characteristics of PARK Antibodies

• Isoform-Specificity: PARK antibodies are highly specific to individual PARK proteins, such as α-synuclein, Parkin, or LRRK2, allowing precise detection in tissues or cell lysates.
• Cross-reactivity: Many PARK antibodies are validated for use across species, including humans, mice, and rats, enabling their application in various model systems for PD research.
• Post-translational Modification Sensitivity: Some PARK antibodies are designed to detect specific post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylated α-synuclein or ubiquitinated Parkin, which are critical in understanding disease mechanisms.
• Sensitivity: High sensitivity is essential for detecting low-abundance PARK proteins, especially in studies involving early-stage neurodegenerative changes or subtle mitochondrial dysfunction.

PARK antibodies are indispensable tools in neurobiology and disease research, particularly for studying Parkinson’s Disease. Their applications in investigating the molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration, mitochondrial dysfunction, protein aggregation, and oxidative stress are crucial for advancing our understanding of PD pathogenesis.