The INPP4B (Inositol Polyphosphate-4-Phosphatase Type II B) antibody is a tool used to study the expression and function of the INPP4B protein, a lipid phosphatase involved in regulating cellular signaling pathways. INPP4B hydrolyzes phosphatidylinositol 3.4-bisphosphate [PI(3.4)P2], a secondary messenger in the PI3K/AKT pathway, thereby suppressing oncogenic signaling. Initially identified as a tumor suppressor, INPP4B loss has been linked to poor prognosis in breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers. However, recent studies highlight its context-dependent roles, showing paradoxical pro-tumorigenic effects in certain malignancies like acute myeloid leukemia and melanoma.
INPP4B antibodies are critical for detecting protein expression via techniques such as Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. Researchers use these antibodies to explore INPP4B’s tissue-specific functions, interactions with signaling components (e.g., PTEN, AKT), and its potential as a biomarker or therapeutic target. Commercial INPP4B antibodies are typically developed in rabbits or mice, targeting specific epitopes within its catalytic domain or C-terminal regions.
Challenges include ensuring antibody specificity due to homology with INPP4A, a related phosphatase. Ongoing research aims to clarify INPP4B’s dual roles in cancer and metabolic diseases, emphasizing the need for reliable antibodies to advance mechanistic and clinical studies.