EPN2 (Epsin-2) is a member of the epsin protein family, which plays critical roles in membrane trafficking, clathrin-mediated endocytosis, and cellular signaling. Identified in the early 2000s, EPN2 is characterized by its N-terminal ENTH (epsin N-terminal homology) domain, which binds phosphatidylinositol 4.5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4.5)P2) to facilitate membrane curvature and vesicle formation. It also contains ubiquitin-binding motifs, enabling interactions with ubiquitinated cargo proteins. EPN2 is implicated in regulating receptor internalization, including Notch and EGFR signaling pathways, and influences processes like cell migration, synaptic plasticity, and tumor progression.
Antibodies targeting EPN2 are essential tools for studying its expression, localization, and function. They are widely used in techniques such as Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunoprecipitation to investigate EPN2’s role in physiological and pathological contexts. Research has linked EPN2 dysregulation to cancers (e.g., breast, lung) where it may promote invasiveness, as well as neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, potentially via amyloid precursor protein processing. EPN2 antibodies also aid in exploring its interplay with other endocytic proteins (e.g., clathrin, AP-2) and its tissue-specific expression patterns. Continued development of high-specificity EPN2 antibodies remains crucial for dissecting its complex roles in cellular homeostasis and disease mechanisms.