Mouse Monoclonal TERT Antibody

The telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) antibody is a critical tool for studying the TERT protein, a catalytic subunit of the telomerase complex responsible for maintaining telomere integrity. Telomerase elongates telomeres, repetitive DNA sequences at chromosome ends that shorten with each cell division. While most somatic cells silence TERT expression, limiting telomerase activity and leading to cellular senescence, reactivation of TERT is a hallmark of cancer (85–90% of malignancies) and stem cells, enabling unlimited proliferation. TERT overexpression stabilizes telomeres, promotes tumorigenesis, and correlates with poor prognosis. Researchers use TERT antibodies to detect protein expression levels via techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF), aiding in cancer diagnostics, mechanistic studies of aging, and telomerase-related disorders. Additionally, TERT antibodies help investigate recurrent TERT promoter mutations (common in gliomas, melanomas, and thyroid cancers) that upregulate TERT expression. Validations for specificity, cross-reactivity, and applications in diverse sample types (e.g., frozen tissues, cell lines) are essential for experimental accuracy. Therapeutic targeting of TERT in oncology further underscores the antibody's relevance in preclinical studies.