Rabbit Anti-HOXA13 Antibody: A Key Tool for Developmental and Cancer Research

HOXA13 (Homeobox A13) is a transcription factor that plays a crucial role in limb and genitourinary tract development. It belongs to the HOX gene family, which governs body patterning during embryogenesis. HOXA13 is particularly essential in digit formation, urogenital system morphogenesis, and other developmental processes. Mutations in the HOXA13 gene have been associated with hand-foot-genital syndrome (HFGS) and related congenital abnormalities (NCBI).

Structural Characteristics and Function of HOXA13

HOXA13 contains a highly conserved homeobox DNA-binding domain that regulates gene expression during early embryonic development. This domain enables HOXA13 to control downstream genetic pathways critical for cellular differentiation and tissue formation. Studies suggest that HOXA13 influences epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and is involved in regulating limb skeletal development (National Human Genome Research Institute).

Clinical Significance of HOXA13 Mutations

Mutations in HOXA13 lead to developmental disorders such as:

  • Hand-Foot-Genital Syndrome (HFGS) – Characterized by limb malformations, shortened fingers/toes, and genitourinary anomalies.
  • Guttmacher Syndrome – A rare genetic disorder affecting limb and urogenital development.
  • Congenital malformations – Affecting digit formation, kidney development, and reproductive tract morphogenesis.

These conditions highlight the importance of HOXA13 in normal developmental processes. Research has also linked HOXA13 overexpression with various cancers, including bladder, prostate, and endometrial cancer (NIH Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center).

Role of HOXA13 in Cancer and Disease Progression

HOXA13 has been implicated in oncogenesis due to its regulatory role in cell proliferation and differentiation. Studies indicate that:

  • HOXA13 overexpression promotes tumor invasion and metastasis in cancers such as prostate and gastric cancer.
  • HOXA13 is involved in angiogenesis and EMT regulation, processes crucial for cancer progression.
  • Epigenetic modifications of HOXA13 contribute to aberrant gene expression in malignancies (Cancer.gov).

Rabbit Anti-HOXA13 Antibody: Applications in Research and Medicine

Rabbit polyclonal antibodies against HOXA13 are widely utilized in molecular and cellular biology research. Key applications include:

  • Western blotting – To detect and quantify HOXA13 protein expression in different tissues (Protein Atlas).
  • Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence – For visualizing HOXA13 localization in normal and cancerous tissues (Human Protein Atlas).
  • Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays – To identify HOXA13 target genes and regulatory elements.
  • Flow cytometry – To assess HOXA13 expression levels in different cell populations.
  • RNA sequencing and transcriptome analysis – To examine HOXA13-driven gene expression patterns in developmental and cancer models.

These research applications help scientists uncover HOXA13’s role in embryogenesis, genetic diseases, and cancer biology.

Current Research and Future Directions

Ongoing research aims to further elucidate HOXA13’s function and its role in disease. Some key areas of interest include:

  • HOXA13 as a biomarker for cancer prognosis – Investigating its potential in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
  • Gene-editing approaches – Exploring CRISPR/Cas9-based therapies for HOXA13-related genetic disorders.
  • Epigenetic regulation of HOXA13 – Understanding DNA methylation and histone modifications affecting HOXA13 expression.
  • HOXA13 in regenerative medicine – Examining its role in stem cell differentiation and tissue engineering.

Conclusion

HOXA13 is a critical transcription factor in embryonic development and disease pathology. Rabbit Anti-HOXA13 antibodies serve as essential tools for researchers investigating genetic disorders, developmental biology, and cancer progression. As research continues, HOXA13 may emerge as a key biomarker for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in various diseases.

For researchers and clinicians seeking authoritative information on HOXA13, resources such as NIH, PubMed, and Genomics England provide extensive literature and data on this critical gene.


 

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