ITPKC (Inositol-trisphosphate 3-kinase C) is an enzyme encoded by the *ITPKC* gene, part of the inositol phosphate kinase family. It phosphorylates inositol 1.4.5-trisphosphate (IP3) to produce inositol 1.3.4.5-tetrakisphosphate (IP4), modulating intracellular calcium signaling—a critical pathway for immune cell activation, apoptosis, and gene expression. ITPKC acts as a negative regulator of T-cell receptor signaling by limiting excessive calcium influx, thereby preventing hyperimmune responses.
Research on ITPKC gained prominence due to its association with Kawasaki disease (KD), a childhood vasculitis. A 2008 study identified *ITPKC* polymorphisms as susceptibility factors for KD and coronary artery complications, linking reduced ITPKC activity to dysregulated T-cell activation and cytokine storms. This discovery highlighted its role in immune homeostasis and inflammatory diseases.
ITPKC antibodies are essential tools for studying its expression, localization, and function in immune cells and tissues. They enable detection via Western blot, immunohistochemistry, or flow cytometry, aiding research into calcium signaling disorders, autoimmune conditions, and cardiovascular pathologies. Commercial antibodies are typically validated for specificity against human or murine ITPKC isoforms. Ongoing studies explore ITPKC's interactions with calmodulin and other calcium-regulating proteins, broadening its relevance in cellular physiology and therapeutic targeting.