Rabbit anti-Human CYP46A1 Polyclonal Antibody

Uniprot Id

Q9Y6A2

Target Species

Human

Target Name

CYP46A1

Target Full Name

Cholesterol 24-hydroxylase

Target Function

P450 monooxygenase that plays a major role in cholesterol homeostasis in the brain. Primarily catalyzes the hydroxylation (with S stereochemistry) at C-24 of cholesterol side chain, triggering cholesterol diffusion out of neurons and its further degradation. By promoting constant cholesterol elimination in neurons, may activate the mevalonate pathway and coordinate the synthesis of new cholesterol and nonsterol isoprenoids involved in synaptic activity and learning. Further hydroxylates cholesterol derivatives and hormone steroids on both the ring and side chain of these molecules, converting them into active oxysterols involved in lipid signaling and biosynthesis. Acts as an epoxidase converting cholesta-5,24-dien-3beta-ol/desmosterol into (24S),25-epoxycholesterol, an abundant lipid ligand of nuclear NR1H2 and NR1H3 receptors shown to promote neurogenesis in developing brain. May also catalyze the oxidative metabolism of xenobiotics, such as clotrimazole.

Target Subcellular Location

Endoplasmic reticulum membrane; Single-pass membrane protein. Microsome membrane; Single-pass membrane protein. Cell junction, synapse, postsynapse. Cell junction, synapse, presynapse. Cell projection, dendrite.

Target Protein Families

Cytochrome P450 family

Target Tissue Specificity

Expressed in brain. The mRNA was broadly distributed with higher levels in gray matter zones and lower levels in regions rich in white matter. Not detected in fetal sample but its expression increases linearly with age.

Target Synonyms

CYP46A1; CYP46Cholesterol 24-hydroxylase; CH24H; EC 1.14.14.25; Cholesterol 24-monooxygenase; Cholesterol 24S-hydroxylase; Cytochrome P450 46A1

Target Background

This gene encodes a member of the cytochrome P450 superfamily of enzymes. The cytochrome P450 proteins are monooxygenases which catalyze many reactions involved in drug metabolism and synthesis of cholesterol, steroids and other lipids. This endoplasmic reticulum protein is expressed in the brain, where it converts cholesterol to 24S-hydroxycholesterol. While cholesterol cannot pass the blood-brain barrier, 24S-hydroxycholesterol can be secreted in the brain into the circulation to be returned to the liver for catabolism.