The TSPAN4 antibody is a research tool designed to detect and study tetraspanin-4 (TSPAN4), a member of the tetraspanin family of transmembrane proteins. Tetraspanins are characterized by four transmembrane domains and play roles in cell adhesion, motility, and signal transduction by organizing membrane protein complexes. TSPAN4. also known as NAST6 or TSP-4. is involved in modulating cellular processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and tumor progression. It interacts with integrins, growth factor receptors, and other tetraspanins, forming functional networks that influence cancer metastasis, immune responses, and neurological functions.
Antibodies targeting TSPAN4 are widely used in techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and flow cytometry to analyze protein expression, localization, and interactions in various tissues or cell lines. These antibodies are critical for investigating TSPAN4's role in diseases, particularly cancers (e.g., glioblastoma, breast cancer) where its dysregulation is linked to tumor invasiveness. They also aid in studying neurological disorders, as tetraspanins are implicated in synaptic plasticity and neurodegenerative conditions.
Validated TSPAN4 antibodies exhibit high specificity, often confirmed via knockout controls or siRNA-mediated silencing. Commercial variants include monoclonal and polyclonal types, each offering advantages in sensitivity or multiplex assays. Ongoing research explores TSPAN4's potential as a therapeutic target or diagnostic biomarker, underscoring the antibody's importance in both basic and translational biomedical studies.