The BICD2 (Bicaudal D homolog 2) antibody is a tool used to detect and study the BICD2 protein, a key player in intracellular transport processes. BICD2 belongs to the BICD family of adaptor proteins, which facilitate dynein-dynactin motor complex-mediated retrograde transport of organelles, vesicles, and mRNAs along microtubules. It is crucial for maintaining neuronal function, Golgi apparatus organization, and nuclear positioning in dividing cells. Mutations in the BICD2 gene are linked to hereditary neurodegenerative disorders, such as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy (HMSN), underscoring its biological and clinical relevance.
BICD2 antibodies are widely utilized in research to investigate protein expression, localization, and interactions via techniques like Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunoprecipitation. They help elucidate BICD2's role in diseases and cellular mechanisms, including its partnership with Rab6 GTPase in Golgi-to-ER trafficking. Recent studies also explore BICD2's involvement in cancer progression and viral infections, where hijacking of transport machinery occurs. These antibodies are critical for validating disease models, screening mutations, and developing therapeutic strategies targeting transport defects. Commercial BICD2 antibodies are typically validated for specificity across human, mouse, and rat samples, supporting diverse experimental applications in cell biology and neuroscience.