A strategy for investigating the CYP superfamily using targeted antibodies is a paradigm for functional genomic studies.

In this review we describe the use of targeted antibodies developed to facilitate studies on the expression of P450 proteins. The challenge of producing specific antibodies that distinguish between often highly related P450 proteins has led to the development of methods of antibody production to meet this need. Targeting antibodies toward the C terminus of P450 proteins has been found to be a particularly successful approach that is both rapid and efficient at producing specifically binding antibodies. Recent advances in genomic sequencing and proteomics now allow ready identification of expressed proteins. The levels and distributions of these proteins may be determined using antibody-based methods. However, for each protein to be studied, a unique antibody will be required. Consequently, some means of producing large numbers of well defined antibodies is needed. In this context, the potential of extending the approach used to produce specific antibodies against P450 proteins to the wider field of functional genomics is discussed.