The ITM2B antibody targets the integral membrane protein 2B (ITM2B), a type II transmembrane glycoprotein belonging to the ITM2 family. ITM2B is widely expressed in tissues, with high levels in the central nervous system, particularly the brain. It plays roles in cellular adhesion, protein trafficking, and maintaining cellular homeostasis. A critical aspect of ITM2B is its proteolytic processing, which releases a C-terminal peptide (Bri2) implicated in regulating synaptic function and amyloid-beta metabolism.
Mutations in the *ITM2B* gene are linked to neurodegenerative disorders, including familial British dementia (FBD) and familial Danish dementia (FDD), characterized by amyloid deposition and neurodegeneration. These mutations alter ITM2B processing, leading to abnormal accumulation of toxic amyloidogenic fragments.
ITM2B antibodies are essential tools for studying these pathologies. They enable detection of wild-type and mutant ITM2B proteins in research models, helping elucidate disease mechanisms. Specific antibodies can distinguish between full-length ITM2B and its processed fragments in techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, or ELISA. Additionally, some antibodies target pathogenic amyloid aggregates, aiding in diagnostics or therapeutic development. Challenges include ensuring specificity due to structural similarities among ITM2 family members. Current research focuses on leveraging ITM2B antibodies to explore therapeutic strategies, such as blocking toxic peptide aggregation or modulating ITM2B processing pathways.