BCAT Antibodies

BCAT (Branched-Chain Amino Acid Aminotransferase) antibodies are specific to BCAT proteins, enzymes involved in the metabolism of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) such as leucine, isoleucine, and valine. These enzymes catalyze the first step in the breakdown of BCAAs, converting them into their corresponding alpha-keto acids. There are two isoforms of BCAT: BCATm (mitochondrial) and BCATc (cytosolic), each playing a critical role in amino acid catabolism across different tissues. The dysregulation of BCAT enzymes is associated with metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer.

Content and Structure of BCAT Antibodies

BCAT antibodies are designed to detect either the mitochondrial (BCATm) or cytosolic (BCATc) isoform of the enzyme. These antibodies are available in monoclonal and polyclonal formats, each with distinct advantages. Monoclonal antibodies offer high specificity for a single epitope on the BCAT protein, making them ideal for targeted applications. Polyclonal antibodies, on the other hand, provide broader epitope recognition, increasing their ability to detect BCAT proteins across different species or sample types.

Application of BCAT Antibodies

• Western Blotting (WB): BCAT antibodies are extensively used in Western blotting to detect the expression levels of BCATm or BCATc in tissue or cell lysates. 
• Immunohistochemistry (IHC): In IHC, BCAT antibodies are employed to localize BCAT expression in tissue samples, providing insights into the tissue-specific role of BCAT enzymes. 
• Immunofluorescence (IF): BCAT antibodies are applied in IF to study the subcellular localization of BCAT proteins. Since BCATm localizes to the mitochondria and BCATc to the cytosol, their distinct cellular distribution is important for understanding tissue-specific amino acid metabolism. 
• Flow Cytometry (FACS): BCAT antibodies conjugated with fluorescent dyes are used in flow cytometry to quantify the expression of BCAT proteins in various cell populations. 
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA): ELISA with BCAT antibodies allows for the quantification of BCATm or BCATc levels in cell lysates or serum. T
• Co-Immunoprecipitation (Co-IP): BCAT antibodies are also used in Co-IP assays to study protein-protein interactions involving BCAT enzymes. 

Technical Specifications

• Clonality: Monoclonal or Polyclonal
• Isotype: IgG (species-specific variants)
• Species Reactivity: Human, Mouse, Rat, with cross-reactivity to other species depending on sequence conservation
• Applications: WB, IHC, IF, FACS, Co-IP, ELISA
• Isoform Specificity: Separate antibodies are available for BCATm and BCATc isoforms
• Storage Conditions: Typically stored at -20°C or -80°C for long-term stability