TENM2 Antibody / Teneurin 2

TENM2 antibody detects Teneurin-2 (also known as Ten-m homolog 2 or Odz2), a large type II transmembrane protein that mediates cell adhesion, axon guidance, and synaptic organization. Encoded by the TENM2 gene on chromosome 5q34, this protein is part of the teneurin family of evolutionarily conserved signaling molecules involved in neural patterning and intercellular communication. Teneurin-2 contains an N-terminal intracellular domain, a single transmembrane region, and a large extracellular domain with EGF-like repeats, YD repeats, and a C-terminal teneurin domain that supports homophilic and heterophilic interactions. Through these structural features, TENM2 contributes to neuronal connectivity, synapse formation, and tissue patterning during development.

Teneurin-2 is expressed in the developing central nervous system, retina, and various non-neuronal tissues such as lung and kidney. It promotes target-specific synaptic connections by interacting with latrophilins (LPHN family GPCRs), forming trans-synaptic complexes that regulate synapse specificity. The intracellular domain of TENM2 can be proteolytically cleaved and translocated to the nucleus, where it may function in transcriptional regulation. In addition to neural roles, TENM2 contributes to epithelial organization, cellular differentiation, and tissue morphogenesis. Disruption of teneurin signaling is linked to neurodevelopmental disorders and certain cancers.

The TENM2 antibody is widely used in neuroscience, developmental biology, and oncology research to study teneurin-mediated adhesion and signaling. Western blot analysis identifies a high molecular weight band (~300 kilodaltons) corresponding to full-length TENM2, while immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence show membrane and perinuclear localization. In neurons, TENM2 expression defines specific circuits, including visual and hippocampal pathways. In tumors, altered expression correlates with changes in adhesion and metastasis potential. The TENM2 antibody allows researchers to investigate teneurin signaling networks that govern tissue connectivity and growth regulation.

TENM2 interacts with extracellular matrix proteins and other teneurins to guide axonal targeting and tissue patterning. Its cytoplasmic domain contains phosphorylation motifs suggesting regulatory crosstalk with intracellular kinases. Loss or mutation of TENM2 disrupts normal neuronal wiring and has been associated with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. Because of these diverse functions, the TENM2 antibody is an essential reagent for mapping teneurin distribution and understanding its developmental and pathological roles.