CES1 is a serine hydrolase critical for metabolizing esters, amides, and lipid mediators (e.g., prostaglandin glyceryl esters) . Antibodies targeting CES1 enable detection and functional studies of this enzyme in various models.
PGD₂-G Hydrolysis: CES1 inhibitors (e.g., WWL113, CPO) block hydrolysis of anti-inflammatory PGD₂-G in THP-1 macrophages, amplifying its anti-inflammatory effects .
Cholesterol Efflux: CES1 facilitates cholesterol mobilization in macrophages, critical for lipid homeostasis .
| Cell/Tissue Type | Antibody Used | Detection Method | Observed MW |
|---|---|---|---|
| THP-1 cells | 29041-1-AP | WB | 62 kDa |
| Human liver | MAB4920 | WB/Simple Western | 65–70 kDa |
| Mouse liver | AF4920 | WB | 63 kDa |
TE Buffer (pH 9.0): Optimal for mouse/human liver tissues.
Citrate Buffer (pH 6.0): Alternative for cross-linking-fixed samples.
Therapeutic Targeting: CES1 inhibition enhances anti-inflammatory lipid mediators (e.g., PGD₂-G) while reducing pro-inflammatory prostaglandins (e.g., PGE₂) .
Drug Metabolism: CES1 antibodies aid in studying pharmacokinetics of ester-based drugs (e.g., methylphenidate) .
KEGG: ath:AT3G16030
STRING: 3702.AT3G16030.1
Carboxylesterase 1 (CES1) is a serine hydrolase enzyme primarily expressed in the liver, located within the endoplasmic reticulum. It contains a characteristic C-terminal ER retention signal (HIEL) that maintains its localization. CES1 shares the serine hydrolase fold common to other esterases and functions in drug metabolism, detoxification, and lipid processing. This enzyme has significant clinical relevance, as CES1 deficiency has been associated with both non-Hodgkin lymphoma and B-cell lymphocytic leukemia, suggesting its potential role in cancer biology and treatment response .
Most commercially available CES1 antibodies demonstrate cross-reactivity between human, mouse, and rat CES1 proteins. For example, the AF4920 antibody specifically recognizes CES1 in human, mouse, and rat tissue samples as demonstrated through Western blot analysis. When using this antibody, researchers can detect CES1 protein at approximately 63 kDa in liver tissue samples and hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines like HepG2 . Cross-species reactivity is valuable for translational research, allowing comparison of CES1 expression and function across different experimental models.
CES1 antibodies are primarily utilized in protein detection techniques, with Western blot being the most validated application. These antibodies have been successfully employed in analyzing CES1 expression in:
Cell lysates (including HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells)
Tissue samples (human, mouse, and rat liver)
Drug metabolism studies
Enzyme function investigations
When optimizing Western blot protocols, researchers should use reducing conditions and follow specific buffer group recommendations (e.g., Immunoblot Buffer Group 1 for AF4920 antibody) . Other potential applications might include immunohistochemistry, ELISA, and immunoprecipitation, though these would require separate validation.
Optimizing CES1 antibody detection in challenging samples requires attention to several methodological factors:
Extraction buffer selection: Use specialized liver tissue extraction buffers containing protease inhibitors to prevent degradation
Sample preparation: For membrane-associated proteins like CES1 (with ER retention signal HIEL), include mild detergents (0.1-0.5% Triton X-100) in lysis buffers
Antibody concentration titration: Test a range of antibody concentrations (e.g., 0.1-0.5 μg/mL) to determine optimal signal-to-noise ratio
Blocking optimization: For liver tissues with high background, extend blocking time (2+ hours) with 5% non-fat milk or BSA
Signal amplification: Consider using HRP-polymer detection systems rather than standard secondary antibodies
For tissues with low CES1 expression, sample enrichment techniques like subcellular fractionation focusing on ER-enriched fractions may enhance detection sensitivity .
When investigating CES1 deficiency in lymphoma or leukemia models, the following controls are essential:
Positive controls:
Normal human, mouse, or rat liver tissue/lysates (high CES1 expression)
Negative controls:
Cell lines with confirmed CES1 knockout/knockdown
Tissues from CES1-deficient animal models
Primary antibody omission controls
Experimental validation controls:
CES1 siRNA or shRNA knockdown efficiency verification
CRISPR-Cas9 knockout verification via sequencing
Rescue experiments restoring CES1 expression
Correlation of CES1 protein levels with enzymatic activity using specific CES1 substrates
These controls help establish causality between CES1 deficiency and observed phenotypes in lymphoma or leukemia models, distinguishing specific effects from general consequences of altered esterase activity.
To effectively study the relationship between CES1 expression and drug metabolism, researchers should implement a multi-faceted experimental design:
CES1 expression modulation:
Drug metabolism assessment:
Select pharmaceuticals known to be CES1 substrates
Perform dose-response and time-course experiments
Quantify parent compounds and metabolites using LC-MS/MS
Correlate metabolism rates with validated CES1 protein levels
Mechanistic validation:
Include CES1 inhibitors as additional controls
Perform enzyme kinetics studies with recombinant CES1
Conduct molecular docking simulations to predict binding interactions
This comprehensive approach allows researchers to establish causal relationships between CES1 expression levels and metabolic outcomes for specific drugs or drug classes.
Studying the serine hydrolase fold structure of CES1 requires combining structural biology techniques with functional assays:
Structural analysis methods:
X-ray crystallography of purified CES1 with various substrates/inhibitors
Cryo-electron microscopy for larger complexes
Hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) to analyze conformational dynamics
Molecular dynamics simulations to predict structural flexibility
Structure-function correlation:
Site-directed mutagenesis of catalytic triad residues
Creation of chimeric enzymes with other esterases
Thermal shift assays to assess protein stability
Verification of structural changes via circular dichroism spectroscopy
Antibody-based validation:
This multi-technique approach reveals how the serine hydrolase fold contributes to substrate specificity, catalytic efficiency, and regulatory mechanisms of CES1.
When analyzing variations in CES1 expression across tissue samples, researchers should consider multiple factors and follow a structured interpretation framework:
Baseline expression analysis:
Biological vs. technical variation assessment:
Calculate coefficient of variation across technical replicates
Compare with biological replicates to distinguish sources of variability
Consider using mixed-effects statistical models to account for nested variation
Physiological and pathological context:
Multi-omics integration:
Correlate protein expression with mRNA levels
Consider epigenetic regulation of CES1 expression
Evaluate post-translational modifications affecting protein detection
This comprehensive analysis framework helps distinguish biologically meaningful CES1 expression differences from technical artifacts or normal physiological variation.
When analyzing correlations between CES1 expression and clinical outcomes in cancer research (particularly for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and B-cell lymphocytic leukemia), the following statistical approaches are recommended:
Univariate analysis:
Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with log-rank tests for categorical CES1 expression
Cox proportional hazards models for continuous CES1 expression measurements
Determination of optimal cutoff values using methods like CUTP or ROC curves
Multivariate analysis:
Cox proportional hazards models adjusting for clinical covariates
Competing risk models when multiple outcome events are possible
Propensity score matching to control for treatment selection bias
Advanced modeling approaches:
Machine learning algorithms for complex pattern recognition
Time-dependent coefficient models if CES1 effect varies over follow-up
Joint models for longitudinal CES1 measurements and survival outcomes
Validation strategies:
For all analyses, researchers should report hazard ratios with confidence intervals, p-values adjusted for multiple testing when applicable, and measures of model discrimination and calibration.
Single-cell analysis techniques offer transformative potential for understanding CES1 expression heterogeneity:
Single-cell protein detection methods:
Mass cytometry (CyTOF) with metal-conjugated CES1 antibodies
Imaging mass cytometry for spatial context
Single-cell Western blotting for protein isoform discrimination
Proximity ligation assays to detect CES1 protein interactions
Multi-omics single-cell approaches:
Correlating CES1 protein expression with transcriptomics
Integrating with single-cell metabolomics to link expression to function
Spatial transcriptomics to map CES1 expression zones within tissues
Methodological considerations:
Single-cell approaches will likely reveal previously unrecognized CES1 expression patterns in subpopulations of cells within tissues, potentially identifying specialized metabolic niches or cells particularly vulnerable to CES1 deficiency in disease states.
Mathematical modeling approaches are increasingly valuable for predicting CES1-mediated drug interactions:
Physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models:
Machine learning approaches:
Development of QSAR models for predicting novel CES1 substrates
Feature extraction from molecular structures to predict binding affinity
Neural networks incorporating both structural and functional data
Systems pharmacology models:
Integration of CES1 within broader metabolic networks
Simulation of downstream effects of altered CES1 activity
Prediction of therapeutic windows for CES1-metabolized drugs
Model validation approaches:
In vitro validation using recombinant CES1 enzymes
Ex vivo validation in tissue samples with quantified CES1 expression
Clinical validation through pharmacokinetic studies in patients with varied CES1 activity
These modeling approaches will enable more precise dosing recommendations for drugs metabolized by CES1 and better prediction of potential drug interactions, particularly important in polypharmacy situations.