**Background of AKT1/2/3 Antibodies**
The AKT family, comprising AKT1 (PKBα), AKT2 (PKBβ), and AKT3 (PKBγ), are serine/threonine kinases central to the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway. These isoforms share structural homology, including a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain, a catalytic kinase domain, and a regulatory hydrophobic motif. They regulate diverse cellular processes such as survival, proliferation, metabolism, and apoptosis. AKT1 is ubiquitously expressed and linked to cell growth, while AKT2 is critical in insulin signaling and glucose metabolism. AKT3. predominantly found in the brain, influences neurological development. Dysregulation of AKT activity, often due to mutations or overexpression, is implicated in cancers, diabetes, and neurological disorders.
Antibodies targeting AKT1/2/3 are essential tools for studying their expression, activation, and localization. These antibodies detect total AKT or phosphorylated forms (e.g., at Thr308/Ser473 for AKT1), reflecting kinase activation. They are widely used in techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF) to investigate AKT’s role in disease mechanisms or therapeutic responses. Isoform-specific antibodies are crucial due to functional differences, despite high sequence similarity. For instance, AKT2-selective antibodies help dissect metabolic signaling, while AKT3-specific ones explore neural pathways. Additionally, AKT antibodies aid in validating drug targets, such as PI3K-AKT inhibitors in oncology. Their specificity and reliability are vital for accurate research and diagnostic applications, making them indispensable in both basic and translational studies.