The RHBDL2 (Rhomboid-like protein 2) antibody is a tool used to study the function and expression of the RHBDL2 protease, a member of the rhomboid family of intramembrane serine proteases. RHBDL2 is evolutionarily conserved and plays a role in cleaving transmembrane protein substrates, regulating processes like cell signaling, adhesion, and protein trafficking. Unlike other rhomboids, RHBDL2 is primarily localized to the plasma membrane and Golgi apparatus, where it processes substrates such as epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like ligands and adhesion G protein-coupled receptors (aGPCRs). Its activity is implicated in wound healing, angiogenesis, and cancer progression, particularly through modulation of EGFR and Notch signaling pathways.
Antibodies targeting RHBDL2 enable researchers to detect its expression levels, subcellular localization, and interactions in various tissues and cell lines. These reagents are critical for elucidating RHBDL2's physiological and pathological roles, including its potential as a biomarker or therapeutic target in diseases like colorectal cancer, where its overexpression correlates with tumor aggressiveness. Commercial RHBDL2 antibodies are typically validated for applications such as Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. However, challenges remain in ensuring specificity due to structural similarities among rhomboid family members. Ongoing research aims to clarify RHBDL2's substrate repertoire and regulatory mechanisms, leveraging these antibodies to advance understanding of intramembrane proteolysis in health and disease.