Alfa-Methylacyl CoA Recemase

A mitochondrial and peroxisomal enzyme, Alpha-methyacyl-CoA racemase (AMCAR), an enzyme invloved in beta oxidation of branched chain fatty acods and bile salt intermidiates, and is recently identified as a neomarker for prostate cancer.  The AMCAR is over expressed in prostate cancer.  Several different isoforms have been reported that are produced either by extensinve alternatve splicing of 5 exons or by use of alternate initiation codons.   Atleast 2 different transcripts each derived from the 5 exons have been reported, AMCAR I abd AMACR II.  The AMCAQR I is the most abundant form and enclodes for a 382 amino acid protein (42kDa) with a PI of 6.0.  The other isoform AMACR II has an alternative fifth exon that exhibit significnat homolgy to fumerate hydratase and encoes a 288 amino acid protein with a molecular weight of 32 kDa, PI 9.6.  Several other variants of IA and IIA isoforms are charcterized recently (1).  The variant lack exon lack exon 3 are designated as IB and IIB.  In prostate tumor tissues that overexpressed AMACR, both the A and B forms are over-expressed.  The predominant isoform AMCAR IA also has a peroxisomal targetting signal peptide (PTS1), while other varinats are basic in PI and lack the PTS1. 

Carcinomas of the transition zone (TZ) constitute approximately 20% of all prostate cancers. The TZ is the site of origin of grade 1 and grade 2 cancers, the most well-differentiated of the Gleason grade tumors, as well as for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).  AMACR has been proposed as a new molecular marker for prostate cancer, because the enzyme is reportedly overexpressed in high-grade dysplasias, also termed prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, a purported precursor of prostatic carcinoma, and in all grades of prostatic carcinoma of the peripheral zone (3).  Small interference RNA (siRNA) against AMACR, but not the control inverted siRNA, reduced the expression of AMACR and significantly impaired proliferation of the androgen-responsive PCa cell line LAPC-4 (2) suggesting that AMACR is essential for optimal growth of PCa cells in vitro and that this enzyme has the potential to be a complementary target with androgen ablation in PCa treatment. ‘

Two Anti-AMCAR-selective antibodies were generated using unique peptides from the AMACR protein.  The antibody ACMR-101AP has unique epitope that is present on AMCAR I and II vairnats while AMCR-112AP is directed against AMCAR I.  The AMCAR-selective antibodies were affinity purified against immobilized antigen based affinity chromatography and are represented as pure IgG fractions stabilized in antibody stabilization buffer.  The polyclonal antibodies strongly label a 32 and 42 kDa AMCAR I and II variants in PC-AMCR samples.    The AMCAR antibodies can be conjugated as HRP or alkaline conjugates for IHC, Confocal, WB analyses at anominal price.  FabGennix Inc. will also conjugate antibodies with fluorescent probes upon request at extra charge.   FabGennix Inc. also provides antibodies against other diagnostic/neomarkers, the list of these antibodies can be obtained at www.FabGennix.com under Antibodies to diagnostic markers.  Limited quantities of antigens are also available.  Please enquire for their availability before ordering.

 

For research use only, not for diagnostic or therapeutic use.