CYP7A1 is a cytochrome P450 enzyme critical for cholesterol homeostasis. It catalyzes the first and rate-limiting step in bile acid synthesis by converting cholesterol into 7α-hydroxycholesterol . This enzyme is predominantly expressed in the liver and regulates cholesterol excretion via bile acid production .
Antibodies against CYP7A1 are widely used in research to study its expression, localization, and regulatory mechanisms. Key applications include:
Regulation: CYP7A1 expression is induced by glucocorticoids like dexamethasone .
Disease Relevance: Dysregulation of CYP7A1 is linked to metabolic disorders, including hypercholesterolemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease .
Antibody Specificity: Commercial antibodies (e.g., MAB9120, PA5-100892) show high specificity for human, mouse, and rat CYP7A1 isoforms .
Nomenclature Alert: The term "CYP701A7" may be a typographical error or refer to an uncharacterized isoform. No peer-reviewed data on "CYP701A7" exists in the provided sources.
Antibody Validation: Rigorous controls (e.g., knockout cell lines) are essential to confirm specificity, as highlighted in recent antibody characterization initiatives .
Advancements in antibody engineering (e.g., Fc region modifications ) and proteome-wide validation platforms may enhance the reliability of CYP7A1-targeting reagents. Researchers are urged to verify antibody performance in their specific experimental systems .