The MED18 antibody is a crucial tool for studying the Mediator complex, a multi-protein assembly essential for regulating RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-mediated transcription in eukaryotes. MED18. a core subunit of the Mediator, facilitates communication between gene-specific transcription factors and the basal transcriptional machinery. It plays a pivotal role in stabilizing the Mediator structure and modulating interactions with Pol II, impacting the expression of genes involved in cell cycle progression, differentiation, and stress responses.
Antibodies targeting MED18 are widely used in research to investigate its expression, localization, and function in transcriptional regulation. Applications include chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and co-immunoprecipitation assays. These studies help elucidate MED18's role in diseases such as cancer, where Mediator subunits are often dysregulated, or in developmental disorders linked to transcriptional misregulation.
Commercial MED18 antibodies are typically raised against specific epitopes, often within conserved regions of the protein. Validation steps, such as siRNA knockdown or knockout cell line controls, are critical to confirm specificity due to potential cross-reactivity with other Mediator subunits. Recent studies have also explored MED18's involvement in viral infections and neurodegenerative conditions, highlighting its broad biological relevance. Researchers prioritize antibodies with high affinity and validated performance in species- and application-specific contexts to ensure reliable data.