Urocortin 3 (UCN3), a member of the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) family, is a neuropeptide involved in stress response, energy homeostasis, and anxiety regulation. It selectively binds to the type 2 corticotropin-releasing factor receptor (CRFR2), distinguishing it from other family members like UCN1. which primarily targets CRFR1. UCN3 is expressed in the brain (notably the hypothalamus, amygdala, and brainstem) and peripheral tissues (e.g., pancreas, gastrointestinal tract), where it modulates insulin secretion, appetite, and gut motility.
Antibodies against UCN3 are essential tools for studying its localization, expression dynamics, and function in both physiological and pathological contexts. They are widely used in techniques such as immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and ELISA to investigate UCN3's role in stress-related disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression), metabolic diseases (e.g., diabetes, obesity), and gastrointestinal conditions. Commercial UCN3 antibodies are typically raised in rabbits or mice using synthetic peptide antigens corresponding to conserved regions of the UCN3 protein. Validation often includes knockout controls or pre-absorption tests to ensure specificity. Challenges include cross-reactivity with structurally similar peptides, necessitating careful experimental design. Recent studies leveraging UCN3 antibodies have highlighted its therapeutic potential in metabolic syndrome and neuropsychiatric disorders, driving demand for high-affinity, well-characterized reagents.