Rabbit monoclonal antibody [EP3253] to PSMAPSMA (Prostate-specific membrane antigen, Glutamate carboxypeptidase 2) is a membrane peptidase expressed in the prostate, central and peripheral nervous system, kidney, and small intestine . PSMA has both folate hydrolase and N-acetylated-alpha-linked-acidic dipeptidase (NAALADase) activity. It is required in the intestine for the uptake of folate, and in the brain it modulates excitatory neurotransmission through the hydrolysis of the neuropeptide N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG), thereby releasing glutamate . In the central nervous system, it is responsible for the cleavage of N-acetyl- L-aspartyl-L-glutamate yielding free glutamate in the synaptic cleft, and is implicated in various pathologic conditions associated with glutamate excitotoxicity . PSMA also has abundant and restricted expression on the surface of prostate carcinomas and the neovasculature of most other solid tumors, making it a target for cancer immunotherapy .
Immunogen
A synthetic peptide corresponding to residues near the N-terminus of human PSMA was used as an immunogen.