Rabbit Monoclonal CaMKII Antibody

CaMKII (Calcium/Calmodulin-dependent Protein Kinase II) antibodies are essential tools in neuroscience and cell signaling research, targeting a multifunctional serine/threonine kinase critical for synaptic plasticity, memory formation, and cellular responses to calcium signaling. CaMKII exists as a holoenzyme composed of multiple subunits (α, β, γ, δ), with CaMKIIα and β being predominant in the brain. Its activation relies on calcium influx triggering calmodulin binding, followed by autophosphorylation at Thr286/287 (depending on the isoform), which sustains kinase activity even after calcium levels drop. Antibodies against CaMKII are widely used to study its expression, localization, phosphorylation status, and activity in various tissues, particularly neurons. Phospho-specific antibodies (e.g., anti-pT286) detect the activated form, providing insights into signaling dynamics in processes like long-term potentiation (LTP). These antibodies are applied in techniques such as Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. Researchers also use isoform-specific antibodies to distinguish between CaMKII variants, as their roles may differ—for example, CaMKIIα is enriched in forebrain neurons, while CaMKIIδ is linked to cardiac hypertrophy. Validated CaMKII antibodies are crucial for investigating its involvement in neurological disorders (e.g., epilepsy, Alzheimer’s), cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. However, cross-reactivity between isoforms or non-specific binding requires careful antibody validation using knockout controls or peptide blocking assays to ensure specificity.