CHD (choline dehydrogenase) antibodies are immunological tools used to detect and study the CHD enzyme, a mitochondrial protein encoded by the *CHDH* gene. CHD catalyzes the oxidation of choline to betaine aldehyde in the choline degradation pathway, a critical step in synthesizing betaine, which serves as a methyl donor in homocysteine metabolism and epigenetic regulation. This enzyme plays a role in lipid metabolism, energy homeostasis, and cellular stress responses. Dysregulation of CHD has been linked to metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer.
CHD antibodies are primarily utilized in research to investigate CHD expression, localization, and function in various tissues and disease models. They enable techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence to assess protein levels, mitochondrial distribution, or altered activity in pathological conditions. Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies are available, often validated for specificity in human, mouse, or rat samples. Recent studies also explore CHD's potential as a biomarker for metabolic syndrome or its interaction with other mitochondrial proteins.
However, cross-reactivity or variability in antibody performance across species or experimental conditions requires careful validation. Ongoing research aims to clarify CHD's role in cellular pathways and its therapeutic implications, driving demand for reliable CHD antibodies in both basic and translational studies.