Caveolin-3 is a muscle-specific protein that serves as the primary structural component of caveolae, small invaginations in the plasma membrane involved in signal transduction, lipid regulation, and membrane trafficking. It is encoded by the CAV3 gene and is predominantly expressed in cardiac and skeletal muscle tissues. Caveolin-3 plays critical roles in maintaining membrane integrity, stabilizing ion channels, and modulating signaling pathways such as nitric oxide synthesis and calcium handling. Dysregulation or mutations in CAV3 are linked to various muscular disorders, including limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 1C, rippling muscle disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and idiopathic hyperCKemia.
Caveolin-3 antibodies are essential tools for detecting and quantifying this protein in research and diagnostics. They are widely used in techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence to study its expression, localization, and interactions in cellular or tissue samples. These antibodies help identify pathogenic mutations, assess protein dysregulation in muscle biopsies, and investigate disease mechanisms in preclinical models. Commercially available antibodies target specific epitopes, often validated for species cross-reactivity (e.g., human, mouse, rat). Quality validation via knockout controls ensures specificity, minimizing false-positive results. In clinical settings, Caveolin-3 antibodies aid in diagnosing inherited myopathies and guiding personalized therapeutic strategies. Their utility underscores the protein’s significance in both basic muscle biology and translational medicine.