Neuronatin antibody is a research tool designed to detect Neuronatin (NNAT), a small, membrane-associated protein encoded by the *NNAT* gene. Predominantly expressed in developing nervous systems and adult brain tissues, Neuronatin plays roles in neurodevelopment, including neural differentiation, ion transport regulation, and cellular stress responses. It exists in two splice variants, α and β, differing by a 22-amino acid segment. Dysregulation of Neuronatin has been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, metabolic diseases, and cancers, where it may influence apoptosis, cell proliferation, or energy metabolism.
Neuronatin antibodies are typically polyclonal or monoclonal, raised against specific epitopes of human or murine Neuronatin. They are widely used in techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF) to study protein expression patterns in neural tissues, stem cells, or disease models. However, challenges exist due to Neuronatin’s low molecular weight (~9-15 kDa) and potential post-translational modifications, which may affect antibody specificity. Validation via knockout controls or siRNA silencing is recommended to confirm target recognition. Commercial antibodies often cite applications in neurobiology, oncology, and metabolic research, particularly in exploring NNAT's epigenetic regulation (e.g., imprinted gene behavior) or its role in pathologies like glioblastoma or obesity. Researchers should optimize protocols based on tissue fixation methods and antigen retrieval to enhance detection sensitivity.