The MYL12B antibody targets the MYL12B protein, also known as myosin regulatory light chain 12B (MLC-2B), a key component of non-muscle myosin II (NMII) complexes. Encoded by the MYL12B gene, this protein regulates actomyosin contractility, influencing critical cellular processes such as cytokinesis, cell migration, and cytoskeletal organization. MYL12B is one of three regulatory light chain isoforms (MYL12A, MYL12B, and MYL9) that modulate myosin II ATPase activity in response to phosphorylation, particularly by Rho-associated kinases (ROCK) and myosin light chain kinase (MLCK).
Antibodies against MYL12B are widely used in cell biology and cancer research to study mechanisms of cell motility, metastasis, and mechanical signaling. They help identify phosphorylation states (e.g., at Ser19/Thr18) to assess NMII activation during stress fiber formation or epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). MYL12B overexpression or dysregulation has been linked to tumor progression, making it a potential biomarker in certain cancers.
These antibodies are validated for techniques like Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunoprecipitation. Specificity is critical due to high homology among myosin light chain isoforms. Commercial MYL12B antibodies are typically raised in rabbits or mice, with validation in knockdown or knockout models to confirm target selectivity. Their applications extend to studying neurological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and developmental biology, underscoring MYL12B's role in cellular mechanics and disease pathways.