DGCR8 (DiGeorge Syndrome Critical Region Gene 8) is a key protein involved in the early stages of microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis. It forms a heterodimeric complex with the RNase III enzyme Drosha, known as the Microprocessor complex, which cleaves primary miRNA transcripts (pri-miRNAs) into precursor miRNAs (pre-miRNAs) in the nucleus. This step is critical for miRNA maturation and subsequent gene regulation. DGCR8 recognizes pri-miRNA structures through its RNA-binding domains and stabilizes Drosha for precise cleavage.
Antibodies targeting DGCR8 are essential tools for studying miRNA processing mechanisms, protein localization, and expression dynamics. They are widely used in techniques like Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) to investigate DGCR8's interactions, cellular distribution, and regulatory roles. Researchers also employ these antibodies to explore DGCR8 dysfunction in diseases, such as DiGeorge syndrome (linked to 22q11.2 deletions), neurodevelopmental disorders, and cancers, where miRNA dysregulation is implicated.
Validated DGCR8 antibodies are typically raised against specific epitopes, such as the N-terminal or C-terminal regions, and undergo rigorous testing for specificity (e.g., using knockout cell lines). Their applications span basic research on RNA biology and translational studies aiming to dissect miRNA-related pathologies or therapeutic targets.