Antigen: recombinant rabbit TPH · Host: sheep · Application(s): western blot and immunohistochemistry (frozen sections) · Tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) catalyzes the first step in the biosynthesis of serotonin and melatonin.¹ Thus, expression of TPH can be used as an indicator of the localization of serotonin and melatonin in brain. In mammals, serotonin biosynthesis occurs predominantly in neurons which originate in the Raphe nuclei of the brain, and melatonin synthesis takes place within the pineal gland.² Although TPH catalyzes the same reaction within the Raphe nuclei and the pineal gland, TPH activity is rate-limiting for serotonin but not melatonin biosynthesis.¹

1 Martinez, A., Knappskog, P.M., and Haavik, J. A structural approach into human tryptophan hydroxylase and its implications for the regulation of serotonin biosyntheis. Curr Med Chem 8 1077-1091 (2001).

2 Haycock, J.W., Kumer, S.C., Lewis, D.A., et al. A monoclonal antibody to tryptophan hydroxylase: Applications and identification of the epitope. J Neurosci Methods 114 205-212 (2002).

Haycock, J.W., Kumer, S.C., Lewis, D.A., et al. A monoclonal antibody to tryptophan hydroxylase: Applications and identification of the epitope. J Neurosci Methods 114 205-212 (2002).

Martinez, A., Knappskog, P.M., and Haavik, J. A structural approach into human tryptophan hydroxylase and its implications for the regulation of serotonin biosyntheis. Curr Med Chem 8 1077-1091 (2001).