Ly6a Antibodies

Structure of Ly6a

Ly6a (also known as Sca-1) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein. The molecular weights vary slightly among different species. Its basic characteristics are as shown in the table below:

The Ly6a protein contains approximately 130 amino acids and is anchored to the outer surface of the cell membrane through GPI. Its core structure includes the characteristic LY6 domain, which is formed by 8-10 cysteine residues and contains multiple disulfide bonds to maintain the stable three-dimensional conformation of the protein. This unique structure enables Ly6a to participate in cell signal transduction as a co-receptor, regulating stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. Unlike soluble myoglobin, Ly6a is fixed to the cell membrane through lipid anchoring, allowing it to interact with other membrane proteins and soluble ligands on the cell surface, and play a regulatory role in the maintenance of hematopoietic stem cells, lymphocyte activation, and tissue regeneration.

Fig. 1 Fusobacterium nucleatum Targets LY6A⁺Resident Stem Cells to Promote Colorectal Cancer Initiation.¹

The key structural characteristics of Ly6a (Sca-1):

• Trimeric protein folding: Disulfide bonds stabilize three cyclic structures
• GPI membrane anchoring: No transmembrane region, anchored outside the membrane
• Cysteine-rich: Disulfide bonds maintain protein stability
• Sulfation modification: Presence of N/O-sulfated sites
• LU domain: Mediating protein interactions
• Lipid raft localization: Enriched in membrane microregions to participate in signal transduction

Functions of Ly6a

The main function of Ly6a (Sca-1) is to participate in stem cell regulation and cell signal transduction. However, it also plays a role in various physiological and pathological processes, including tissue repair, immune regulation, and pathogen infection.

Ly6a exhibits diverse functional characteristics in different tissues and physiological scenarios. Its dual identity as a receptor and a marker makes it an important molecule that connects stem cell biology, infection and tumor research, and gene therapy.

Applications of Ly6a and Ly6a Antibody in Literature

1. Wang, Qinying, et al. "Fusobacterium nucleatum promotes colorectal cancer through neogenesis of tumor stem cells." The Journal of Clinical Investigation 135.3 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI181595

This study reveals that Fusobacterium nucleatum invades intestinal stem cells through the LY6A receptor, upregulates RPS14 to promote their excessive proliferation, and converts the repair stem cells into tumor stem cells, thereby driving the occurrence of colorectal cancer. This discovery provides a new target for cancer prevention and treatment.

2. Huang, Qin, et al. "Delivering genes across the blood-brain barrier: LY6A, a novel cellular receptor for AAV-PHP. B capsids." PloS one 14.11 (2019): e0225206. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0225206

This study reveals that LY6A is the key receptor for the AAV-PHP.B viral vector to cross the blood-brain barrier and efficiently infect the central nervous system. This discovery explains the differences of the virus in different mouse strains and provides an important basis for the development of gene therapy vectors for human neurological diseases.

3. Marín-Llera, Jessica Cristina, et al. "SCA-1/Ly6A mesodermal skeletal progenitor subpopulations reveal differential commitment of early limb bud cells." Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology 9 (2021): 656999. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2021.656999

In this study, two distinct subpopulations of skeletal progenitor cells with differential expression of SCA-1 (LY6A) were identified in the early limb buds. The SCA-1+ cells exhibited stronger osteogenic and tendon differentiation capabilities, but weaker chondrogenic ability. This indicates that SCA-1 regulates the differentiation fate of skeletal progenitor cells during early embryonic development.

4. Hsu, Yu-Chiao, et al. "Acute lymphoid leukemia cells with greater stem cell antigen-1 (Ly6a/Sca-1) expression exhibit higher levels of metalloproteinase activity and are more aggressive in vivo." PLoS One 9.2 (2014): e88966. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0088966

This study found that the stem cell antigen Sca-1 (LY6A) is highly expressed in acute lymphoblastic leukemia and can promote tumor invasion. The mechanism is related to the upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases and the enhancement of the ability to degrade the tissue matrix, ultimately leading to accelerated leukemia progression and shortened host survival period.

5. Jones, Morgan A., et al. "Investigating B cell development, natural and primary antibody responses in Ly-6A/Sca-1 deficient mice." PLoS One 11.6 (2016): e0157271. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0157271

This study found that the absence of Sca-1 did not affect the primary antibody response or B-cell development in mice, but it led to a significant increase in the expression of immunoglobulin λ light chain in the intestinal lamina propria B cells, and an increase in serum IgA-λ levels. This suggests that Sca-1 may have a specific role in regulating intestinal mucosal immunity.

Creative Biolabs: Ly6a Antibodies for Research

Creative Biolabs specializes in the production of high-quality Ly6a antibodies for research and industrial applications. Our portfolio includes monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies tailored for ELISA, Flow Cytometry, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and other diagnostic methodologies.

• Custom Ly6a Antibody Development: Tailor-made solutions to meet specific research requirements.
• Bulk Production: Large-scale antibody manufacturing for industry partners.
• Technical Support: Expert consultation for protocol optimization and troubleshooting.
• Aliquoting Services: Conveniently sized aliquots for long-term storage and consistent experimental outcomes.

For more details on our Ly6a antibodies, custom preparations, or technical support, contact us at email.