TIM44-1 Antibody
Description
Overview of TIMM44 Antibody
The TIMM44 antibody targets the translocase of inner mitochondrial membrane 44 (TIMM44), a protein critical for mitochondrial integrity and function. TIMM44 anchors mitochondrial heat shock protein 70 (mtHsp70) to the TIMM23 complex in an ATP-dependent manner, facilitating protein import into the mitochondrial matrix . Dysregulation of TIMM44 disrupts mitochondrial functions, leading to ATP depletion, oxidative stress, and apoptosis .
Immunogen and Epitope
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Immunogen: Recombinant TIMM44 fusion protein (Ag4834 or Ag21389) .
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Observed Molecular Weight: 45 kDa (mature form) , differing from the predicted 51 kDa due to post-translational modifications .
Mitochondrial Protein Import
TIMM44 antibodies have been used to study its role in mitochondrial pre-protein translocation. TIMM44 anchors mtHsp70 to the TIMM23 complex, enabling ATP-dependent import of proteins with folded domains . Mutational studies in yeast (tim44-804) show that TIMM44 is critical for recruiting motor subunits like Pam17 and the J-complex to the TIM23 translocase .
Angiogenesis and Disease
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Inhibition of Angiogenesis: TIMM44 silencing in endothelial cells (via shRNA or CRISPR-Cas9) suppresses proliferation, migration, and capillary tube formation by disrupting mitochondrial protein import, reducing ATP, and increasing ROS .
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Retinal Angiogenesis: Endothelial-specific TIMM44 knockdown in mice reduces retinal vascular branches, increases vascular leakage, and causes retinal ganglion cell degeneration .
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Therapeutic Target: The TIMM44 inhibitor MB-10 ("MitoBloCK-10") mimics silencing effects, suggesting potential for treating diseases with abnormal angiogenesis .
Mitochondrial Dysregulation
| Parameter | TIMM44 Silencing/KO | TIMM44 Overexpression |
|---|---|---|
| ATP Production | ↓ 70–80% | ↑ |
| ROS Levels | ↑ | ↓ |
| Mitochondrial Proteins | ↓ Opa1, Mfn1, Mfn2 | ↑ Opa1, Mfn1, Mfn2 |
Validation and Protocols
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Western Blot: Detects TIMM44 at 45 kDa in human, mouse, and rat tissues .
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Immunofluorescence: Localizes TIMM44 to the inner mitochondrial membrane .
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Key Controls: siRNA knockdown (e.g., in U-2 OS cells) confirms specificity .
Future Directions
TIMM44 antibodies remain vital for studying mitochondrial disorders and angiogenesis-related pathologies. Ongoing research focuses on:
Product Specs
Constituents: 50% Glycerol, 0.01M Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS), pH 7.4
