The α-actinin-2 (ACTN2) antibody is a tool used to detect and study the ACTN2 protein, a member of the α-actinin family of actin-binding proteins. ACTN2 is predominantly expressed in cardiac and skeletal muscle, where it plays a critical role in stabilizing the sarcomeric structure by crosslinking actin filaments within the Z-disc. It also interacts with titin, dystrophin, and ion channels, contributing to muscle contraction, signaling, and mechanical integrity.
Mutations in the ACTN2 gene are linked to cardiomyopathies (e.g., hypertrophic, dilated) and skeletal myopathies, making the antibody valuable for research into these disorders. In diagnostics, ACTN2 antibodies aid in identifying protein expression patterns in muscle tissues, helping differentiate disease subtypes.
Commercially available ACTN2 antibodies are typically monoclonal or polyclonal, validated for techniques like Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. Studies using these antibodies have advanced understanding of sarcomere organization, muscle pathophysiology, and potential therapeutic targets. However, specificity challenges may arise due to structural similarities among α-actinin isoforms (e.g., ACTN1 in non-muscle cells), necessitating careful validation. Overall, ACTN2 antibodies remain essential for exploring muscle biology and disease mechanisms.