The NRG3 (Neuregulin 3) antibody is a tool used to study the protein encoded by the NRG3 gene, a member of the neuregulin family of growth factors. NRG3 functions as a signaling molecule that interacts with receptor tyrosine kinases of the ErbB family, primarily ErbB4. to regulate cell-cell communication, particularly in the nervous system and epithelial tissues. It plays roles in neural development, synaptic plasticity, and cellular differentiation. Dysregulation of NRG3 has been implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia) and cancers (e.g., breast and ovarian tumors), driving interest in its molecular mechanisms.
The NRG3 antibody enables detection and quantification of NRG3 protein expression in research applications such as Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. It helps identify tissue-specific expression patterns, post-translational modifications, and interactions with downstream signaling pathways. Researchers also use it to explore NRG3's involvement in disease pathogenesis or therapeutic targeting.
Commercial NRG3 antibodies vary in specificity, targeting distinct epitopes (e.g., extracellular or intracellular domains) or phosphorylation states. Validation using knockout controls or siRNA-mediated knockdown is critical to ensure reliability. Despite structural similarities to other neuregulins (e.g., NRG1), NRG3 exhibits unique spatiotemporal expression and functional roles, underscoring the importance of targeted antibody tools in dissecting its biological and clinical relevance.