The CHMP4B antibody is a crucial tool in studying the Charged Multivesicular Body Protein 4B (CHMP4B), a component of the Endosomal Sorting Complex Required for Transport (ESCRT)-III machinery. CHMP4B plays a vital role in membrane remodeling processes, including cytokinesis, multivesicular body (MVB) formation, viral budding, and repair of plasma membrane damage. As part of the ESCRT-III complex, it facilitates the scission of membrane necks in a ubiquitin-dependent manner, ensuring proper cell division, organelle biogenesis, and cellular homeostasis.
Antibodies targeting CHMP4B are widely used in research to investigate its expression, localization, and interactions in various cellular contexts. They enable detection through techniques like Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. Dysregulation of CHMP4B has been implicated in diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and ciliopathies, making its study clinically relevant. For example, mutations in CHMP4B are linked to congenital cataracts and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy.
Researchers also utilize CHMP4B antibodies to explore ESCRT-III's role in HIV-1 release and other viral infections. These tools help unravel mechanisms underlying membrane dynamics and disease pathogenesis, highlighting CHMP4B's significance in both basic and translational biomedical research.