The HEBP2 (Heme Binding Protein 2) antibody is a research tool designed to detect and study the HEBP2 protein, which plays a role in cellular heme metabolism and iron homeostasis. HEBP2 is a 22 kDa protein localized primarily in mitochondria and cytoplasm, implicated in regulating heme trafficking, detoxification, and iron utilization. It interacts with heme, a porphyrin compound critical for oxygen transport and enzymatic functions, and may influence cellular responses to oxidative stress and apoptosis. Dysregulation of HEBP2 has been linked to pathological conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and disorders related to iron overload or deficiency.
The antibody is typically produced in rabbits or mice using immunogenic peptides or recombinant HEBP2 protein fragments. It is widely utilized in techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF) to assess protein expression, localization, and abundance in tissues or cell lines. Researchers employ HEBP2 antibodies to explore its biological functions, such as its involvement in mitochondrial heme export or its interaction with other heme-regulatory proteins like FLVCR1 or ABCB6. Validation often includes knockout cell controls to confirm specificity. Studies using this antibody contribute to understanding heme-related pathologies and potential therapeutic targets.