The CNTNAP3 antibody targets the Contactin-associated protein-like 3 (CNTNAP3), a member of the neurexin superfamily involved in neuronal development and synaptic function. CNTNAP3. also known as CASPR3. is a transmembrane protein containing epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains and a cytoplasmic PDZ-binding motif, facilitating interactions with cell adhesion molecules and signaling pathways. It plays roles in cell-cell communication, axon guidance, and neural network formation, though its precise biological mechanisms remain under investigation.
Research on CNTNAP3 antibodies has expanded due to the protein's potential links to neurodevelopmental disorders and cancer. In neuroscience, these antibodies are used to study CNTNAP3 expression patterns in brain tissues, revealing its localization in specific neuronal populations and synapses. Aberrant CNTNAP3 expression has been implicated in glioblastoma and colorectal cancer, where it may influence tumor progression via cell adhesion and migration pathways. Additionally, CNTNAP3 autoantibodies have been explored in autoimmune conditions like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), suggesting a role in immune dysregulation.
Commercially available CNTNAP3 antibodies are primarily monoclonal or polyclonal reagents validated for techniques such as Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. Challenges include ensuring specificity due to structural similarities among neurexin family proteins. Ongoing studies aim to clarify CNTNAP3's physiological roles and its therapeutic or diagnostic potential in neurological and oncological contexts.