Monitoring of PPAR Alpha Protein Expression in Human Tissue by the Use of PPAR Alpha-Specific MAbs

Abstract

We report the production and characterization of two PPARα subtype-specific monoclonal antibodies raised against the N-terminal domain of PPARα. Pαbll.80A is a Western-reactive antibody, whereas Pαb32.51 is useful for immunohistochemistry. Both antibodies exhibited high affinity against the immunogen based on BIAcore analysis, recognized full-length PPARα protein in PPARα-transfected CV-1 cells, and displayed no cross-reactivity against the N-terminal domains of PPARγ or PPARδ proteins as demonstrated by various immunoassays. The application of these antibodies to a panel of normal human tissues revealed that PPARα protein expression is highest in skeletal muscle, liver, and kidney, consistent with previously reported mRNA expression data. These antibodies provide us with valuable tools to further explore the function of PPARα.