Mouse Anti-Ochratoxin Monoclonal Antibody

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a potent mycotoxin produced primarily by Aspergillus and Penicillium species of fungi. It is a significant food safety and public health concern due to its nephrotoxic, teratogenic, and carcinogenic properties. OTA contamination is commonly found in various food products, including cereals, coffee, dried fruits, and wine, posing a risk when ingested by humans and animals. The primary molecular target of ochratoxin is the 26S proteasome, a cellular enzyme complex responsible for the degradation of damaged or unneeded proteins within the cell. By inhibiting the chymotrypsin-like activity of the proteasome, OTA disrupts the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, leading to the accumulation of misfolded and damaged proteins. This disruption can cause endoplasmic reticulum stress, apoptosis, and ultimately cell death, particularly in kidney cells.