The 2-hydroxyisobutyryl-HIST1H1C (K22) antibody is a polyclonal rabbit-derived immunoglobulin (IgG) designed to detect the post-translational modification (PTM) of lysine 22 (K22) on the linker histone HIST1H1C (also known as histone H1.2). This antibody specifically recognizes the 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation (Khib) of K22, a modification critical for regulating chromatin structure and gene expression .
HIST1H1C is a member of the histone H1 family, which binds linker DNA between nucleosomes to stabilize chromatin fibers and modulate transcription . The K22 residue is located in the NH2-terminal tail, a region prone to PTMs, including phosphorylation, acetylation, and hydroxyisobutyrylation . The Khib modification at K22 is implicated in epigenetic regulation, autophagy, and disease mechanisms .
Studies using HIST1H1C knockdown or overexpression in retinal cells revealed its role in regulating autophagy and inflammation. Overexpression of HIST1H1C:
Upregulates SIRT1 and HDAC1, leading to deacetylation of histone H4K16 .
Promotes autophagy by increasing ATG protein levels (e.g., LC3B-II) .
Induces inflammation (via IL-1β and CCL2 upregulation) and cell toxicity in high-glucose conditions .
Knockdown of HIST1H1C in diabetic mice attenuated retinal autophagy, inflammation, and neuronal loss, highlighting its therapeutic potential in diabetic retinopathy .
While not directly studied with the K22-specific antibody, broader research on HIST1H1C and Khib modifications provides context:
Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC): HIST1H1C upregulation correlates with STAT3 activation, promoting tumor growth .
Pancreatic Cancer: Khib modifications (pan-antibody data) are associated with increased proliferation and metastasis, suggesting potential overlap with HIST1H1C’s role .
2-Hydroxyisobutyrylation at K22 may influence chromatin compaction and gene accessibility by:
Modulating histone-DNA interactions, altering nucleosome spacing .
Interacting with chromatin-modifying enzymes (e.g., HDACs, acetyltransferases), as suggested by HIST1H1C’s role in H4K16 deacetylation .
Diabetic Retinopathy: HIST1H1C overexpression exacerbates autophagy and glial activation, while knockdown mitigates pathology .
Cancer: Khib modifications (including HIST1H1C K22) may drive oncogenic signaling pathways (e.g., STAT3) .
Antibody Specificity: High sequence homology among H1 variants complicates generating variant-specific antibodies. The K22-specific antibody addresses this by targeting a divergent NH2-terminal tail with a distinct PTM .
Storage Stability: Freezing/thawing cycles may reduce antibody efficacy; aliquoting is recommended .
Histone H1 proteins bind to linker DNA between nucleosomes, forming the chromatin fiber. These histones are essential for the condensation of nucleosome chains into higher-order structures. Additionally, they function as regulators of gene transcription through chromatin remodeling, nucleosome spacing, and DNA methylation.
Histone H1's diverse roles are supported by extensive research. Key findings include:
The 2-hydroxyisobutyryl-HIST1H1C (K22) Antibody is a polyclonal antibody developed in rabbits that specifically recognizes the 2-hydroxyisobutyryl post-translational modification at lysine 22 (K22) of the human Histone H1.2 protein (HIST1H1C). This antibody was developed using a synthetic peptide containing the 2-hydroxyisobutyryl-lysine at position 22 as the immunogen .
Lysine 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation is a relatively recently discovered histone post-translational modification that plays significant roles in epigenetic regulation. The antibody allows researchers to specifically detect this modification at the K22 position of HIST1H1C without cross-reactivity to other modifications or the same modification at different lysine residues .
Lysine 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation (Khib) differs from better-known modifications like acetylation or methylation in several key ways:
Chemical structure: The 2-hydroxyisobutyryl group is bulkier than acetyl groups and contains a hydroxyl group that affects its chemical properties
Metabolic connection: 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid (2-HIBA) has been associated with several metabolic diseases, suggesting this modification may connect metabolism with epigenetic regulation
Function: While acetylation generally correlates with gene activation and methylation can be associated with either activation or repression depending on the site, 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation appears to have distinct functions in chromatin regulation
Distribution: Khib occurs on specific lysine residues that may or may not overlap with sites of other modifications, creating unique combinatorial patterns
This modification has been observed in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic proteins, suggesting it's an evolutionarily conserved regulatory mechanism .
The 2-hydroxyisobutyryl-HIST1H1C (K22) Antibody has been validated for the following applications:
| Application | Recommended Dilution | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| ELISA | Not specified* | Quantitative detection in solution |
| ICC (Immunocytochemistry) | 1:20-1:200 | Cellular localization in fixed cells |
| IF (Immunofluorescence) | 1:50-1:200 | Fluorescent visualization in cells |
*Similar antibodies targeting different lysine positions typically use dilutions of 1:2000-1:10000 for ELISA applications .
The antibody is supplied as a liquid in a preservative buffer containing 0.03% Proclin 300, 50% Glycerol, and 0.01M PBS at pH 7.4. For optimal results, it should be stored at -20°C or -80°C, avoiding repeated freeze-thaw cycles .
For optimal immunofluorescence results with the 2-hydroxyisobutyryl-HIST1H1C (K22) Antibody:
Grow cells on coverslips or chamber slides to 70-80% confluence
Fix cells with 4% paraformaldehyde for 15 minutes at room temperature
Permeabilize with 0.2% Triton X-100 in PBS for 5-10 minutes
Block with 5% normal serum in PBS with 0.1% Tween-20 for 1 hour at room temperature
Incubate with primary antibody at 1:50-1:200 dilution in blocking buffer overnight at 4°C
Wash 3x with PBS containing 0.1% Tween-20
Incubate with fluorophore-conjugated anti-rabbit secondary antibody for 1 hour at room temperature
Wash 3x with PBS containing 0.1% Tween-20
Counterstain nuclei with DAPI and mount with anti-fade mounting medium
Image using confocal or fluorescence microscopy
Critical considerations include using appropriate controls (primary antibody omission, blocking peptide competition) and optimizing antibody concentration for your specific cell type and fixation method .
To maximize detection of the 2-hydroxyisobutyryl modification at K22 of HIST1H1C:
Consider cellular treatments that enhance 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation:
Optimize protein extraction:
For histones, use acid extraction methods (e.g., 0.2N HCl) to efficiently isolate histones
Include deacetylase inhibitors (e.g., sodium butyrate, trichostatin A) in lysis buffers
Add protease inhibitors to prevent degradation
For fixed samples:
Use fresh fixatives and control fixation time carefully
Consider epitope retrieval methods if initial detection is weak
Optimize permeabilization to ensure antibody access to nuclear proteins
Timing considerations:
This modification may be dynamic, so standardize the timing of sample collection
Consider performing time-course experiments to capture modification dynamics
These approaches should increase the likelihood of detecting the target modification while maintaining its natural state .
Essential controls for experiments using this antibody include:
| Control Type | Description | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Positive Controls | Cell lines with verified K22 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation (e.g., A549, K562, HepG2 cells), especially after treatment with sodium butyrate | Confirms antibody functionality |
| Negative Controls | Primary antibody omission, isotype control (non-specific rabbit IgG) | Determines background and non-specific binding |
| Specificity Controls | Blocking peptide competition (pre-incubate antibody with excess immunizing peptide) | Verifies signal specificity |
| Comparison Controls | Antibodies detecting other modifications or the same modification at different lysine residues | Distinguishes between different modifications |
| Loading Controls | Total HIST1H1C antibody, other histone proteins (H3, H4) | Normalizes for protein abundance |
Incorporating these controls is essential for reliable data interpretation and validation of experimental findings .
For accurate quantification and normalization of Western blot data:
Signal quantification:
Use digital imaging systems with a linear dynamic range
Capture images before signal saturation occurs
Apply appropriate background subtraction methods
Measure integrated density of bands rather than just peak intensity
Normalization strategies:
Primary normalization to total HIST1H1C protein levels (using a total HIST1H1C antibody)
Secondary normalization to other histone proteins (H3 or H4) for loading control
Consider normalizing to the sum of all histone H1 variants detected
Experimental comparisons:
Always include a reference sample on each blot for inter-blot comparisons
For time-course experiments, express data as fold-change from baseline
For treatment comparisons, normalize to vehicle control samples
Statistical analysis:
Perform quantification from at least three biological replicates
Apply appropriate statistical tests (t-test for paired comparisons, ANOVA for multiple comparisons)
Present data with error bars representing standard deviation or standard error
This methodical approach ensures reliable quantitative analysis of the 2-hydroxyisobutyryl modification at K22 of HIST1H1C .
| Issue | Potential Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| High Background | Insufficient blocking, excessive antibody concentration, inadequate washing | Increase blocking time/concentration, reduce primary antibody concentration, add additional washing steps |
| Weak Signal | Low modification level, epitope masking, suboptimal antibody concentration | Treat cells with modification enhancers (e.g., sodium butyrate), optimize antigen retrieval, increase antibody concentration or incubation time |
| Multiple Bands | Cross-reactivity, protein degradation, non-specific binding | Verify with blocking peptide competition, add protease inhibitors during sample preparation, increase washing stringency |
| Inconsistent Results | Variable modification levels, technical variability | Standardize sample collection timing, use consistent treatment conditions, include reference samples |
| No Signal | Absence of modification, denatured antibody, technical error | Verify with positive control samples, use fresh antibody aliquots, check each step of protocol |
Troubleshooting should systematically address each possible cause while maintaining appropriate controls to validate the results .
While the search results don't specifically mention ChIP validation for the K22 antibody, similar antibodies (like K116) are validated for ChIP . For ChIP-seq data analysis and interpretation:
Quality control and preprocessing:
Assess sequencing quality metrics (base quality scores, GC content)
Filter out low-quality reads and remove adapter sequences
Align to reference genome using appropriate alignment parameters
Peak calling and annotation:
Use peak calling algorithms suitable for histone modifications (e.g., MACS2)
Identify genomic regions enriched for K22 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation
Annotate peaks to genomic features (promoters, enhancers, gene bodies)
Comparative analysis:
Compare K22 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation patterns with other histone modifications
Correlate with gene expression data from RNA-seq
Analyze differences between experimental conditions
Functional interpretation:
Perform gene ontology and pathway enrichment analysis of modified regions
Identify transcription factor binding motifs within or near peaks
Integrate with chromatin accessibility data (ATAC-seq, DNase-seq)
Visualization:
Generate genome browser tracks for interactive exploration
Create heatmaps and profile plots around genomic features
Develop circos plots for genome-wide visualization
This comprehensive analysis approach can reveal the genomic distribution and potential functional implications of K22 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation .
The connection between 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation at K22 of HIST1H1C and metabolic diseases is an emerging area of research, with several potential mechanisms:
Metabolic signaling integration:
Regulatory mechanisms:
Enzymes responsible for adding or removing this modification might be metabolically regulated
Cellular concentrations of 2-HIBA or its precursors may influence modification levels
Metabolic pathways involving 2-HIBA could affect chromatin structure via this modification
Disease implications:
Altered K22 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation patterns might contribute to metabolic disease pathogenesis
This modification could regulate genes involved in glucose metabolism, lipid homeostasis, or insulin signaling
Targeting the enzymes involved in this modification might represent therapeutic opportunities
Comparative studies:
Comparing K22 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation levels between healthy and diseased tissues might reveal disease associations
Analysis across different metabolic conditions could identify regulatory patterns
Although direct evidence linking K22 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation to specific metabolic diseases is still emerging, the established connection between 2-HIBA and metabolic disorders suggests important functional relationships .
Integration of multi-omics approaches with K22 antibody studies can provide comprehensive insights:
Genomic integration:
ChIP-seq with the K22 antibody maps genome-wide distribution
Integration with RNA-seq correlates modification with gene expression
ATAC-seq associates the modification with chromatin accessibility states
DNA methylation analysis reveals interplay between histone modifications and DNA methylation
Proteomic connections:
Mass spectrometry validates antibody specificity and quantifies modification stoichiometry
Proteome-wide analysis identifies other proteins with 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation
Interactome studies discover proteins that bind specifically to 2-hydroxyisobutyrylated K22
Metabolomic relationships:
Measure cellular 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid levels and correlate with modification abundance
Identify metabolic pathways that influence K22 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation
Study the enzymes involved in 2-HIBA metabolism and their relationship to chromatin regulation
Single-cell approaches:
CUT&Tag with the K22 antibody enables single-cell profiling of this modification
Integration with scRNA-seq reveals cell-type specific correlations
Spatial transcriptomics maps tissue-specific patterns
Computational integration:
Network analysis reveals regulatory relationships
Machine learning identifies patterns across datasets
Predictive modeling of modification dynamics under different conditions
These integrated approaches provide systems-level understanding of K22 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation in cellular regulation .
The enzymatic regulation of 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation at K22 of HIST1H1C is not fully characterized, but several mechanisms can be inferred from related research:
"Writer" enzymes (adding the modification):
While specific enzymes for K22 haven't been definitively identified, p300/CBP acetyltransferases have been implicated in catalyzing some 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation reactions
Acyl-CoA synthetases like the 2-HIBA-CoA ligase may generate the 2-hydroxyisobutyryl-CoA substrate needed for the modification
The reaction likely requires 2-hydroxyisobutyryl-CoA as a donor substrate
"Eraser" enzymes (removing the modification):
"Reader" proteins (recognizing the modification):
Bromodomain-containing proteins may recognize 2-hydroxyisobutyrylated lysines
YEATS domain proteins have been shown to bind to some acylated lysine residues
The specific readers for K22 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation remain to be identified
Regulation mechanisms:
Cellular concentrations of 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid likely influence modification levels
Metabolic pathways generating or consuming 2-HIBA may indirectly regulate this modification
Competition with other lysine modifications at K22 may provide an additional regulatory layer
Further research using the 2-hydroxyisobutyryl-HIST1H1C (K22) antibody combined with enzymatic studies will help elucidate these regulatory mechanisms .
Comparing 2-hydroxyisobutyryl modifications across different lysine residues (such as K22, K116, and K128) in HIST1H1C requires sophisticated technical approaches:
Antibody-based comparative analysis:
Mass spectrometry approaches:
Bottom-up proteomics with enzymatic digestion to generate lysine-containing peptides
Middle-down approaches analyzing larger histone fragments
Parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) for targeted quantification of specific modified sites
Crosslinking mass spectrometry to understand structural implications of modifications at different sites
Functional comparisons:
ChIP-seq with each site-specific antibody to compare genomic distributions
Mutational studies replacing specific lysines to prevent modification
Correlation of each site's modification with gene expression data
Computational modeling of structural impacts of modifications at different residues
Dynamic analysis:
Time-course experiments to compare modification kinetics across sites
Response to treatments that alter modification levels
Recovery dynamics after inhibitor removal
These approaches allow researchers to determine site-specific functions and regulatory mechanisms of 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation across different lysine residues in HIST1H1C .
Advanced computational methods significantly enhance research with this antibody:
Structural analysis:
Molecular dynamics simulations of HIST1H1C with and without K22 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation
Prediction of conformational changes induced by the modification
Modeling of interactions between modified K22 and potential binding partners
Analysis of electrostatic surface changes caused by the modification
Genome-wide data analysis:
Specialized peak calling algorithms for ChIP-seq data
Motif discovery to identify DNA sequences associated with the modification
Integrative analysis with other histone modifications to identify combinatorial patterns
Machine learning to predict target genes based on modification patterns
Network analysis:
Construction of gene regulatory networks centered on K22 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation
Pathway enrichment analysis of genes affected by the modification
Identification of transcription factors associated with modified regions
Cross-talk analysis with other epigenetic modifications
Evolutionary analysis:
Conservation analysis of K22 across species and histone variants
Phylogenetic studies of enzymes involved in 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation
Comparative genomics of modification patterns across species
Data integration frameworks:
Multi-omics data integration platforms connecting modification data with transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics
Visualization tools for complex epigenetic datasets
Statistical methods for correlation analysis across different data types
These computational approaches transform antibody-generated data into mechanistic insights about K22 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation's biological functions .