RFC Antibodies

RFC (Replication Factor C) antibodies are designed to detect Replication Factor C (RFC), a protein complex involved in DNA replication and repair. RFC acts as a DNA clamp loader, facilitating the loading of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) onto DNA, which is crucial for processive DNA synthesis during replication and repair. 

Applications of RFC Antibodies

• Western Blotting (WB): RFC antibodies are frequently used in western blotting to detect and quantify the expression of RFC subunits in cell and tissue lysates. This is particularly useful in studies investigating DNA replication, repair, or changes in cell cycle dynamics during tumorigenesis.
• Immunohistochemistry (IHC): RFC antibodies are used to visualize the expression of RFC proteins in tissue sections. This is valuable for studying the role of RFC in different tissues, particularly in rapidly dividing cells, such as those in cancerous tissues, where RFC is often upregulated.
• Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP): RFC antibodies are used in ChIP assays to study the recruitment of RFC to replication forks and DNA damage sites. This helps researchers understand how RFC functions in the context of chromatin during replication and repair processes.

RFC Antibodies in Disease Research

• Cancer: Given its role in DNA replication, RFC is often overexpressed in cancer cells, where high rates of proliferation require robust replication machinery. RFC antibodies are used to study how elevated RFC levels contribute to cancer progression and genomic instability. Dysregulation of RFC activity can lead to replication stress, DNA damage, and mutagenesis, all of which are associated with tumorigenesis.
• DNA Repair Defects and Genomic Instability: RFC is involved in DNA repair, and defects in its function can lead to genomic instability, a hallmark of many cancers and hereditary syndromes. RFC antibodies help researchers explore how mutations or disruptions in RFC subunits affect DNA repair pathways, leading to increased mutation rates and disease progression.
• Genetic Disorders: Mutations in the genes encoding RFC subunits are associated with rare genetic disorders characterized by genomic instability and cancer predisposition. RFC antibodies are valuable for studying the molecular mechanisms of these disorders and for identifying therapeutic strategies that target replication and repair pathways.

RFC antibodies are crucial tools for studying the molecular mechanisms of DNA replication, repair, and cell cycle regulation. By facilitating the detection and localization of RFC proteins in various experimental settings, these antibodies provide critical insights into how RFC contributes to genomic stability and how its dysfunction leads to diseases like cancer.