The CTNNA3 antibody targets the α-T-catenin (alpha-T-catenin) protein, encoded by the CTNNA3 gene, which belongs to the α-catenin family of adhesion molecules. α-T-catenin is primarily expressed in cardiac muscle, skeletal muscle, and the brain, where it plays a critical role in cell-cell adhesion by linking cadherin-catenin complexes to the actin cytoskeleton. This interaction stabilizes adherens junctions, maintaining tissue integrity and regulating cellular signaling.
Research on CTNNA3 antibodies has gained attention due to the protein's involvement in cardiovascular and neurological disorders. Mutations or altered expression of CTNNA3 have been linked to arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), a condition characterized by fibrofatty replacement of cardiac tissue. In the brain, α-T-catenin interacts with synaptic proteins, and its dysfunction is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and epilepsy.
CTNNA3 antibodies are widely used in immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence to study protein localization, expression levels, and molecular pathways in disease models. Commercial antibodies are typically developed in rabbits or mice, targeting specific epitopes within the N-terminal or C-terminal domains. Validation often includes knockout tissue controls to ensure specificity. Recent studies also explore its role in cancer, where loss of α-T-catenin may promote metastasis via disrupted cell adhesion. Overall, CTNNA3 antibodies serve as essential tools for investigating cell adhesion mechanisms and related pathologies.