The ATP1B3 antibody targets the beta-3 subunit of the Na+/K+-ATPase, a critical ion transporter responsible for maintaining electrochemical gradients across cell membranes. Na+/K+-ATPase consists of α and β subunits, with ATP1B3 (beta-3) playing a regulatory role in enzyme activity, membrane localization, and intercellular adhesion. This subunit is prominently expressed in tissues like the brain, testes, and certain epithelial cells, with altered expression linked to pathological conditions, including cancers (e.g., glioblastoma, lung adenocarcinoma) and neurological disorders.
ATP1B3 antibodies are widely used in research to investigate the protein's expression patterns, structural interactions, and functional roles in cellular processes such as ion homeostasis, cell migration, and signaling pathways. They are essential tools in techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. Studies utilizing these antibodies have revealed ATP1B3's involvement in tumor progression, where its overexpression may promote metastasis, and in neurological contexts, where dysfunction correlates with synaptic impairments.
Additionally, ATP1B3 antibodies hold potential diagnostic value, as beta-3 subunit levels in biofluids could serve as biomarkers for specific cancers or neurodegenerative diseases. Research continues to explore its therapeutic targeting, particularly in drug-resistant malignancies. These antibodies thus bridge fundamental biology and clinical applications, underscoring ATP1B3's multifaceted role in health and disease.