CYP39A1 (Cytochrome P450 Family 39 Subfamily A Member 1) is an enzyme involved in cholesterol metabolism, specifically in the conversion of 24-hydroxycholesterol to bile acids. It plays a critical role in maintaining cholesterol homeostasis, particularly in the liver and brain. Dysregulation of CYP39A1 has been linked to metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s), and atherosclerosis, making it a target for research in lipid metabolism and related pathologies.
CYP39A1 antibodies are immunological tools developed to detect and quantify the expression of this enzyme in tissues or cell lysates. These antibodies are typically produced using recombinant CYP39A1 protein fragments or synthetic peptides as immunogens, yielding polyclonal or monoclonal variants. They are widely used in techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF) to study CYP39A1's localization, expression levels, and regulatory mechanisms under various physiological or pathological conditions.
Validation of CYP39A1 antibodies is crucial, as cross-reactivity with other cytochrome P450 isoforms may occur. Researchers often employ knockout cell lines or tissue controls to confirm specificity. Commercial antibodies may vary in performance depending on epitope targets, host species, or clonality. Their applications extend to exploring therapeutic strategies for cholesterol-related diseases, drug metabolism studies, and understanding CYP39A1's role in neurological health, highlighting their importance in both basic and translational research.