Generation and characterization of species-specific anti-Bcl-X(L) monoclonal antibodies.

Bcl-X(L) is a pro-survival member of the Bcl-2 family that plays an important role in apoptosis regulation. As a first step to carry out the molecular characterization of this protein, we have generated five monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against synthetic peptides corresponding to the flexible loop region of human and murine Bcl-X(L). These antibodies display species specificity and are suitable for Western blotting, immunofluorescence labeling, and immunoprecipitation. These results suggest that these antibodies can serve as important tools for the detection and purification of endogenous and ectopically expressed human and murine Bcl-X(L).