BCAT4 Antibody
Description
Introduction to BCAT4 Antibody
The BCAT4 antibody is a specific tool used in research to detect and study the Branched-Chain Aminotransferase 4 (BCAT4) protein. BCAT4 is an enzyme involved in the methionine chain elongation pathway, crucial for the biosynthesis of methionine-derived glucosinolates in plants like Arabidopsis thaliana . The BCAT4 antibody was raised against the final dodecapeptide at the C terminus of BCAT4 and was affinity purified using ovalbumin-peptide conjugates .
Function of BCAT4
BCAT4 plays a significant role in the initial deamination of methionine to 4-methylthio-2-oxobutyrate, a key step in the biosynthesis of methionine-derived glucosinolates . This pathway is closely related to leucine biosynthesis, indicating a common evolutionary origin . BCAT4's activity is induced by wounding and follows a diurnal rhythm, with its transcripts predominantly found in the phloem and localized in the cytosol .
Research Findings with BCAT4 Antibody
The use of the BCAT4 antibody has facilitated detailed studies on the function and localization of BCAT4 in plants. For instance, immunodetection analysis using this antibody confirmed that BCAT4 protein is not detectable in T-DNA knockout mutants, validating these mutants as complete knockouts .
Table 1: Substrate Specificity of Recombinant BCAT4
| Substrate | Relative Activity at 1 mM | Relative Activity at 5 mM |
|---|---|---|
| Methionine | 100% | 100% |
| Homomethionine | 37% | 65% |
| Leucine | 29% | 62% |
| Isoleucine | Not detectable | 8% |
| Valine | Not detectable | Not detectable |
This table highlights the substrate specificity of BCAT4, showing its preference for methionine and its derivatives over branched-chain amino acids like leucine, isoleucine, and valine .
Clinical and Agricultural Implications
While BCAT4 itself is not directly implicated in human diseases, understanding its role in plant metabolism can provide insights into pathways that might be analogous in humans. For example, the study of branched-chain amino acid transaminases in humans, such as BCAT1, has revealed their involvement in cancer metabolism and drug resistance . In agriculture, BCAT4's role in glucosinolate biosynthesis is important for plant defense mechanisms against herbivores and pathogens .
