Citrate synthase (CS) antibody is a crucial tool in studying mitochondrial metabolism and cellular energy production. Citrate synthase, a key enzyme in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, catalyzes the condensation of acetyl-CoA and oxaloacetate to form citrate, a central metabolite. Located in the mitochondrial matrix, CS is often used as a marker for mitochondrial content and function due to its stable expression and integral role in energy metabolism.
Antibodies targeting citrate synthase are widely employed in techniques like Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry to detect CS protein levels, assess mitochondrial density, or validate mitochondrial enrichment in cellular or tissue samples. These antibodies are particularly valuable in research on metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's, Parkinson's), cancer metabolism, and aging, where mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated. They also help distinguish between cytosolic and mitochondrial isoforms in studies of subcellular localization.
High-quality CS antibodies are rigorously validated for specificity through knockout cell lines or siRNA-mediated knockdown to ensure minimal cross-reactivity. Both monoclonal and polyclonal variants exist, with selection depending on application requirements. In comparative studies, CS is frequently used as a loading control for mitochondrial proteins, normalizing data to account for variations in mitochondrial mass between samples. This underscores its dual role as both a metabolic enzyme and a benchmark in mitochondrial research.