Retinol Binding Protein-4 (RBP4) is a member of the lipocalin family and serves as the specific carrier for retinol (vitamin A alcohol) in the blood. It plays a crucial role in the transport of retinol from the liver to peripheral tissues. The mouse anti-human RBP4 antibody is a monoclonal antibody that specifically detects human RBP4 in various applications such as Western blotting and flow cytometry.
RBP4 is a small protein with a molecular weight of approximately 21 kDa. It binds retinol and forms a complex with transthyretin (TTR) in the plasma. This complex prevents the loss of RBP4 by filtration through the kidney and increases the stability of the retinol-RBP4 complex . The primary function of RBP4 is to deliver retinol from liver stores to peripheral tissues, where it can be utilized for various biological processes, including vision, immune function, and cellular growth .
The RBP4 gene is located on chromosome 10 in humans and encodes the retinol-binding protein. The gene is highly conserved across species, and its expression is regulated by retinoic acid levels. In conditions of vitamin A deficiency, the secretion of RBP4 is blocked, leading to impaired delivery of retinol to target tissues .
The mouse anti-human RBP4 antibody is widely used in research to study the expression and function of RBP4 in different tissues and under various physiological conditions. It is particularly useful in techniques such as Western blotting, where it can detect RBP4 in human and mouse samples . Additionally, it is used in flow cytometry to analyze the presence of RBP4 on the surface of cells .