TGFBR Antibodies

TGFBR (Transforming Growth Factor Beta Receptor) antibodies are immunoglobulins specifically designed to target and detect the TGF-β receptors, which are crucial components in the TGF-β signaling pathway. These receptors, particularly TGFBR1 (ALK-5) and TGFBR2, are transmembrane serine/threonine kinases that mediate cellular responses to Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGF-β), a cytokine involved in regulating cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and immune responses.

Applications of TGFBR Antibodies

Western Blotting:TGFBR antibodies are used in Western blotting to detect the expression levels of TGFBR1 and TGFBR2 in various cell types and tissues. This is crucial for understanding how TGF-β signaling is regulated under different physiological or pathological conditions, such as in cancer or fibrosis. 

Immunoprecipitation (IP):TGFBR antibodies are applied in immunoprecipitation assays to isolate the TGFBR complex along with associated signaling molecules. This allows for the study of protein-protein interactions and the identification of signaling partners involved in the TGF-β pathway, such as SMADs or other kinases.

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Immunofluorescence (IF):In IHC and IF, TGFBR antibodies are used to visualize the localization of TGFBRs in tissues or cells. These techniques are particularly important in cancer research, where the expression and distribution of TGFBRs are altered during tumor progression, metastasis, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Key Considerations for Using TGFBR Antibodies

• Phospho-Specificity: Phosphorylation of TGFBR1 is a key event in TGF-β signaling. Phospho-specific TGFBR1 antibodies allow researchers to monitor the activation state of TGFBR1 by detecting its phosphorylation status at specific serine/threonine residues.
• Isoform-Specificity: TGFBR antibodies can be specific to either TGFBR1 or TGFBR2, depending on the experimental need. Some antibodies are pan-specific, recognizing both receptors, while others may be designed to target only one receptor subtype.
• Species Reactivity: TGFBR antibodies may exhibit species-specific reactivity, so it is important to select antibodies that are validated for the species being studied, such as human, mouse, or rat.
• Buffer and Assay Conditions: The performance of TGFBR antibodies may vary based on assay conditions, including buffer composition, blocking agents, and secondary antibody selection. Optimizing conditions for each application is crucial to obtaining specific and reproducible results.

TGFBR antibodies are essential tools for studying the intricate mechanisms of the TGF-β signaling pathway, which plays a critical role in various biological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, immune modulation, and cancer progression. ​