**Background of TUBB Antibodies**
TUBB antibodies target β-tubulin, a core component of microtubules, which are cytoskeletal polymers essential for cell structure, division, intracellular transport, and signaling. β-tubulin, along with α-tubulin, forms heterodimers that polymerize into dynamic microtubules. Mammals express multiple β-tubulin isotypes (e.g., TUBB1. TUBB2. TUBB3), each encoded by distinct genes and exhibiting tissue-specific expression or functional specialization. For example, TUBB3 is enriched in neurons and associated with axon guidance, while TUBB2A/B are broadly expressed in proliferating cells.
TUBB antibodies are widely used in research to study microtubule dynamics, cell cycle regulation, and diseases linked to tubulin dysfunction, such as cancer, neurodevelopmental disorders, and neurodegenerative conditions (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease). These antibodies enable the detection of β-tubulin expression levels, post-translational modifications (e.g., acetylation, tyrosination), and subcellular localization via techniques like Western blot, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry.
Notably, certain TUBB isoforms are biomarkers for pathological states. TUBB3 overexpression, for instance, correlates with drug resistance in cancers treated with microtubule-targeting agents (e.g., taxanes). Conversely, mutations in TUBB genes disrupt microtubule stability, leading to malformations in brain development. Researchers must validate TUBB antibodies for specificity due to high sequence homology among isoforms and potential cross-reactivity. Overall, TUBB antibodies remain critical tools for exploring microtubule biology and its implications in health and disease.