Anti-Niemann Pick C1/NPC1 Antibody Picoband®

Overview

Anti-Niemann Pick C1/NPC1 Antibody Picoband® is an antibody reagent for detection of NPC1 (NPC intracellular cholesterol transporter 1). Researchers commonly use anti-NPC1 antibodies to measure relative expression and localization across biological samples, with assay selection guided by the listed applications (WB, IHC, Flow, ELISA).

Boster Bio Anti-Niemann Pick C1/NPC1 Antibody Picoband® catalog # A00428-3. Tested in Flow Cytometry, WB applications. This antibody reacts with Human, Mouse, Rat. The brand Picoband indicates this is a premium antibody that guarantees superior quality, high affinity, and strong signals with minimal background in Western blot applications. Only our best-performing antibodies are designated as Picoband, ensuring unmatched performance.

Key elements and design rationale

• Target: NPC1 (NPC intracellular cholesterol transporter 1). Alternative names: Niemann-Pick C1 protein; NPC1
• Antibody format: Polyclonal; Rabbit IgG
• Species context: Host: Rabbit, Reactivity: Human,Mouse,Rat
• Purification: Immunogen affinity purified.
• Immunogen: A synthetic peptide corresponding to a sequence in the middle region of human Niemann Pick C1/NPC1.
• Molecular weight context: observed 180 kDa (reported)
• Provided application(s): WB, IHC, Flow, ELISA

These attributes help contextualize how the antibody is commonly selected (host/clonality/isotype/label) and how signals are interpreted across sample types and assay formats.

Biological background

Function: Intracellular cholesterol transporter which acts in concert with NPC2 and plays an important role in the egress of cholesterol from the endosomal/lysosomal compartment. Both NPC1 and NPC2 function as the cellular 'tag team duo' (TTD) to catalyze the mobilization of cholesterol within the multivesicular environment of the late endosome (LE) to effect egress through the limiting bilayer of the LE. NPC2 binds unesterified cholesterol that has been released from LDLs in the lumen of the late endosomes/lysosomes and transfers it to the cholesterol-binding pocket of the N-terminal domain of NPC1. Cholesterol binds to NPC1 with the hydroxyl group buried in the binding pocket and is exported from the limiting membrane of late endosomes/ lysosomes to the ER and plasma membrane by an unknown mechanism. Binds oxysterol with higher affinity than cholesterol. May play a role in vesicular trafficking in glia, a process that may be crucial for maintaining the structural and functional integrity of nerve terminals.

Cellular localization: Late endosome membrane.

Background: Niemann-Pick disease, type C1 (NPC1) is a membrane protein that mediates intracellular cholesterol trafficking in mammals. In humans it is encoded by the NPC1 gene (chromosome location 18q11). This gene encodes a large protein that resides in the limiting membrane of endosomes and lysosomes and mediates intracellular cholesterol trafficking via binding of cholesterol to its N-terminal domain. It is predicted to have a cytoplasmic C-terminus, 13 transmembrane domains, and 3 large loops in the lumen of the endosome - the last loop being at the N-terminus. This protein transports low-absorbance lipoproteins to late endosomal/lysosomal compartments where they are hydrolized and released as free cholesterol. Defects in this gene cause Niemann-Pick type C disease, a rare autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by over accumulation of cholesterol and glycosphingolipids in late endosomal/lysosomal compartments.

Cross reactivity: No cross-reactivity with other proteins.

Research relevance and current trends

• Quantitative and spatial profiling: expression patterns are increasingly studied across cell states using multiplex imaging and omics-informed validation.
• Isoforms and post-translational modifications: researchers often evaluate how isoform composition and PTMs can shift apparent molecular weight or localization.
• Context-aware interpretation: comparative studies commonly include perturbations (stimulation, inhibition, genetic models) to relate target changes to pathway behavior.

Common research applications

• Western blot (WB): compare relative target abundance and apparent size shifts (e.g., isoforms/PTMs) across conditions.
• Immunohistochemistry (IHC): assess distribution across tissue compartments and compare staining patterns between groups.
• Flow cytometry: quantify target-positive populations and compare shifts after stimulation or differentiation.

Across these uses, researchers typically interpret changes in signal as relative differences between matched sample groups, considering sample preparation and biological context.

Notes for experimental interpretation

• Apparent molecular weight can vary due to isoforms, proteolysis, glycosylation, phosphorylation, and sample preparation differences.
• Species reactivity and epitope conservation can influence observed signal patterns, especially in cross-species studies.
• Control concepts: include appropriate negative controls (e.g., isotype controls where relevant) and, when feasible, genetic or orthogonal controls (KO/KD, peptide competition, or independent assays) to support interpretation.

For antibody reagents, monoclonal antibodies are often chosen for epitope consistency across lots, while polyclonals may recognize multiple epitopes and can show different background characteristics depending on context.

Customization & Add-ons: Can’t find the antibody you need—or require a custom format for your assay? We can help you source the best match or support custom antibody solutions for diverse research needs, including species and isotype selection, conjugations and labeling (e.g., HRP/AP, biotin, fluorophores), purification grade options (Protein A/G, affinity purified), formulation preferences (buffer selection, carrier-free, glycerol-free), custom concentrations and aliquoting, low-endotoxin options for cell-based work, and application-focused QC/validation support (project dependent). Click Talk to a Scientist to submit a request, email us at support@biohippo.com, or explore our Research Services for additional support—our team will follow up with feasibility details and next steps.