KOR3 Antibody

Target Overview: Kappa Opioid Receptor (KOR)

KOR (UniProt ID: P41145) is a 45 kDa transmembrane protein expressed in the central nervous system and peripheral sensory nerves. It binds dynorphin peptides, mediating analgesia, dysphoria, and anti-inflammatory responses . Its structure includes seven transmembrane domains and extracellular loops critical for ligand binding and signal transduction .

Key Research Findings

• Therapeutic Potential: KOR-targeting antibodies are investigated for modulating pain pathways and treating opioid-use disorders. Antibodies like CT-P59 (unrelated to KOR but methodologically analogous) demonstrate how neutralizing biologics can block receptor-ligand interactions .

• Antibody Validation:

  • MAB3895: Detects human KOR in transfected HEK293 cells (8 µg/mL, cytoplasmic staining) .

  • ab113533: Binds to 42 kDa and 52 kDa bands in human brain and spinal cord lysates, confirming specificity via Western blot .

Clinical and Preclinical Applications

• Pain Management: Preclinical models suggest KOR antibodies reduce hyperalgesia without inducing dysphoria .

• Neuroprotection: KOR activation mitigates neuronal damage in ischemia-reperfusion injury, highlighting therapeutic potential .

• Diagnostics: Used to quantify KOR expression in neurological disorders (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease) .

Limitations and Future Directions

• Specificity Challenges: Polyclonal antibodies like ab113533 may exhibit off-target binding without rigorous validation .

• Therapeutic Development: No KOR antibodies are yet FDA-approved, though candidates like MAB3895 are in exploratory phases .