The MT-ND3 antibody is a tool used to detect the MT-ND3 protein, a subunit of NADH dehydrogenase (Complex I) in the mitochondrial electron transport chain. Encoded by the mitochondrial genome (MT-ND3 gene), this protein is essential for oxidative phosphorylation, the process that generates cellular ATP. MT-ND3 localizes to the inner mitochondrial membrane and contributes to Complex I assembly and function, facilitating electron transfer from NADH to ubiquinone. Mutations in the MT-ND3 gene are linked to mitochondrial disorders, including Leigh syndrome, mitochondrial encephalopathy, and Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), often characterized by impaired energy metabolism and neurodegeneration. Researchers use MT-ND3 antibodies in techniques like Western blotting, immunofluorescence, or immunohistochemistry to study mitochondrial dysfunction, disease mechanisms, or protein expression patterns in tissues or cell models. These antibodies help investigate how MT-ND3 variations or deficiencies affect cellular respiration, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, or apoptosis. Commercial MT-ND3 antibodies are typically validated for specificity using knockout controls or peptide blocking assays. Their applications span basic research in metabolism, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer (where mitochondrial defects are common), and therapeutic development targeting mitochondrial pathways.