CYP18-2 Antibody

Definition and Target Profile

CYP18-2 Antibody is a polyclonal antibody raised against human CYP2C18, a liver enzyme critical for drug metabolism and steroid biosynthesis. It specifically binds to epitopes in the CYP2C18 protein, enabling its detection in research assays .

Development and Validation

The antibody was developed using a recombinant fusion protein spanning amino acids of human CYP2C18. Key validation steps include:

• Specificity: No cross-reactivity with closely related isoforms (e.g., CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19) .

• Sensitivity: Detects CYP2C18 at levels as low as 2.5 pmol/mg in human liver microsomes .

• Functional Assays: While the antibody binds CYP2C18, it does not inhibit its enzymatic activity (e.g., diazepam N-demethylation) .

Expression Patterns

• CYP2C18 is expressed at very low levels (<2.5 pmol/mg) in human liver microsomes compared to other CYP2C subfamily members (e.g., CYP2C8, CYP2C9) .

• Its expression varies across cell lines, with detectable levels in certain hepatic models .

Role in Alternative Splicing (Plant Homolog Insight)

Though not directly related to human CYP2C18, studies on its Arabidopsis homolog AtCYP18-2 reveal roles in stress response. For example:

• AtCYP18-2 regulates alternative splicing of heat shock genes (e.g., HSP101, HSFA2) under stress, ensuring thermotolerance .

• Loss of AtCYP18-2 disrupts intron retention (IR) in stress-responsive transcripts, reducing functional protein production .

Applications in Research

• Western Blotting: Used to quantify CYP2C18 expression in hepatic tissues and cell lines .

• Functional Studies: Helps investigate CYP2C18’s role in drug metabolism and disease associations.

Comparative Analysis of CYP2C Antibodies

Limitations and Considerations

• Low Endogenous Levels: CYP2C18’s minimal expression in human liver complicates detection .

• Species Specificity: While reactive with mouse and rat, functional roles may differ across species.