Phospho-TrkA/B (Tyr490/Tyr516) antibodies are essential tools for studying the activation of tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk) family receptors, specifically TrkA and TrkB. These receptors play critical roles in neuronal survival, differentiation, and synaptic plasticity by binding neurotrophins like nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Upon ligand binding, Trk receptors dimerize and undergo autophosphorylation at specific tyrosine residues, initiating downstream signaling cascades. The phosphorylation of Tyr490 in TrkA and Tyr516 in TrkB serves as a key activation marker, enabling recruitment of adaptor proteins (e.g., Shc, PLC-γ) that activate pathways such as MAPK/ERK, PI3K/Akt, and PKC.
Phospho-specific antibodies targeting these sites allow researchers to detect and quantify receptor activation in experimental models. They are widely used in Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence to investigate Trk signaling dynamics in physiological contexts (e.g., neural development) or pathological conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases, pain disorders, and cancers. For instance, aberrant Trk activation is linked to tumor progression, making these antibodies valuable in cancer research and therapeutic development (e.g., evaluating Trk inhibitor efficacy).
When using these antibodies, proper controls (e.g., non-phosphorylated Trk or phosphorylation-blocking peptides) are critical to ensure specificity. Their applications extend to drug screening, mechanistic studies, and biomarker validation, underscoring their importance in both basic and translational neurobiology research.