ABSTRACT
Objective To prepare rabbit antibody against mouse AD-004 by AD-004 expressed in the prokaryotic expression system and to identify its distribution in the testis and adrenal. Methods The full-length cDNA of mouse AD-004 was cloned into PET28 plasmid, and the protein was induced in E. coli BL21 bacteria by adding IPTC and then purified by Ni2+ -NTA column. The purified protein was used as an immunogen to prepare polyclonal antibody ( pAb) of AD-004. The specificity of the antibody was detected by Western blotting. Immunohistochemical staining was performed in the mouse adrenal and testis via pAb of AD-004. Results Hisfused AD-004 was expressed efficiently in the prokaryotic system. Western blot analysis showed that the polyclonal antibody was duly bound to purified AD-004 with high specificity and sensitivity. AD-004 could be abundantly identified in the adrenal medulla and mainly expressed in the Leydig cells of testis. Conclusion The mouse protein of AD-004 is obtained from the prokaryotic expression system. The rabbit anti-AD-004 antibody has been prepared successfully. AD-004 protein is mainly localized in the interstitium of testis, suggesting that AD-004 may play a role in the synthesis of sex-steroid hormone.