Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) antibodies are immunological tools designed to detect and study COMT, an enzyme critical in the metabolism of catecholamine neurotransmitters (e.g., dopamine, epinephrine) and certain drugs. COMT transfers a methyl group to catechol substrates, influencing neurotransmitter inactivation and hormone regulation. It exists in two isoforms: membrane-bound (MB-COMT), predominantly in the brain, and soluble (S-COMT), found in peripheral tissues like the liver. Dysregulation of COMT activity is linked to neurological and psychiatric disorders (e.g., Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia) due to its role in dopamine degradation, particularly in prefrontal cortex regions affecting cognition and emotion.
COMT antibodies are widely used in research to localize and quantify enzyme expression via techniques like Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and ELISA. They help explore genetic polymorphisms (e.g., Val158Met), which alter enzyme activity and disease susceptibility. Specific antibodies may target distinct epitopes to differentiate isoforms or post-translational modifications. Validation often involves knockout controls or recombinant protein assays to ensure specificity. Additionally, COMT inhibitors (e.g., entacapone) used in Parkinson’s therapy are studied using these antibodies to assess drug effects on enzyme levels. Their applications span neuroscience, pharmacology, and clinical diagnostics, aiding mechanistic insights into COMT-related pathways and therapeutic targeting.