TSPAN8. a member of the tetraspanin family, is a cell surface protein characterized by four transmembrane domains and conserved cysteine-rich motifs. It plays roles in cell adhesion, migration, signaling, and membrane organization, often interacting with integrins, growth factors, and other tetraspanins to form functional complexes. TSPAN8 is notably overexpressed in various cancers, including colorectal, pancreatic, and gastric carcinomas, where it promotes tumor progression, metastasis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by modulating intracellular pathways like PI3K/AKT and Wnt/β-catenin. Its dysregulation is also linked to metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, and inflammatory conditions.
TSPAN8 antibodies are essential tools for studying its biological functions and clinical relevance. These antibodies, often monoclonal or polyclonal, target specific extracellular or intracellular epitopes of TSPAN8. They are widely used in techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence to detect expression levels, cellular localization, and protein interactions. In research, TSPAN8 antibodies help elucidate its role in tumor microenvironments, stem cell maintenance, and drug resistance. Clinically, they hold diagnostic and therapeutic potential, as TSPAN8’s overexpression in tumors correlates with poor prognosis, making it a biomarker candidate. Challenges include ensuring antibody specificity due to structural similarities among tetraspanins. Ongoing studies explore TSPAN8-targeted therapies, such as antibody-drug conjugates or immune-based approaches.