The XPC antibody is a crucial tool in studying the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway, a primary DNA repair mechanism that removes bulky DNA lesions caused by UV radiation, chemical mutagens, or oxidative stress. XPC, encoded by the *XPC* gene, is a key initiator of NER, responsible for detecting DNA distortions and recruiting downstream repair factors. Mutations in *XPC* are linked to xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by extreme UV sensitivity, predisposition to skin cancers, and neurological abnormalities.
XPC functions as a heterodimer with HR23B (RAD23B), stabilizing the complex and enhancing its DNA-binding affinity. Its role in global genome NER (GG-NER) involves recognizing helix-distorting lesions, unlike transcription-coupled NER (TC-NER), which targets transcription-blocking damage. XPC antibodies are widely used in research to detect protein expression levels, localization, and interactions via techniques like Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and co-immunoprecipitation. They also aid in studying XPC's post-translational modifications, regulatory mechanisms, and dysfunction in XP patients or cancer models.
Additionally, XPC antibodies contribute to understanding the interplay between DNA repair deficiencies, genomic instability, and carcinogenesis. Their applications extend to evaluating therapeutic responses, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, where NER efficiency influences treatment outcomes. Overall, XPC antibodies are indispensable for unraveling DNA repair dynamics, disease mechanisms, and potential therapeutic targets in genomic maintenance pathways.