The BDH2 (3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase 2) antibody is a tool used to study the BDH2 enzyme, a mitochondrial protein involved in ketone body metabolism and iron homeostasis. BDH2 catalyzes the oxidation of 3-hydroxybutyrate to acetoacetate, linking it to energy metabolism, particularly during fasting or metabolic stress. Additionally, BDH2 plays a critical role in regulating cellular iron levels by synthesizing the iron-binding molecule 2.5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2.5-DHBA), which modulates iron export. Dysregulation of BDH2 has been implicated in iron-related disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer.
The BDH2 antibody is essential for detecting and quantifying BDH2 protein expression in tissues or cells via techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, or immunofluorescence. Researchers use it to investigate BDH2's role in metabolic pathways, iron metabolism, and diseases such as anemia, Alzheimer’s disease, or tumors. Specificity and validation of the antibody are crucial, as cross-reactivity with homologous enzymes (e.g., BDH1) may occur. Most BDH2 antibodies target epitopes within conserved regions of the protein, often raised in hosts like rabbits or mice. Understanding BDH2's function through antibody-based studies provides insights into therapeutic strategies targeting metabolic dysfunction or iron imbalance.