Alpha-Methylacyl-CoA Racemase (AMACR, p504s)

Antigen Background

Alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR), also known as p504s, is a mitochondrial and peroxisomal enzyme that is involved in bile acid biosynthesis and beta-oxidation of branched-chain fatty acids. AMACR is essential in lipid metabolism, and is expressed in normal liver (hepatocytes), kidney (tubular epithelial cells) and gall bladder (epithelial cells). Expression has also been found in lung (bronchial epithelial cells) and colon (colonic surface epithelium). Expression is granular and cytoplasmic. AMACR expression can also be found in hepatocellular carcinoma and kidney carcinoma. Past studies have also shown that AMACR is expressed in various colon carcinomas (well, moderately and poorly differentiated) and over expressed in prostate carcinoma.

Disclaimer

Alpha-Methylacyl-CoA Racemase (AMACR, p504s) is recommended for the detection of specific antigens of interest in normal and neoplastic tissues, as an adjunct to conventional histopathology using non-immunologic histochemical stains.