Histones undergo diverse PTMs to regulate chromatin structure and gene expression. The 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation of HIST1H2AG (K74) is a specialized modification that may influence:
Chromatin Accessibility: Altered histone-DNA interactions, modulating transcriptional activity .
Protein Interactions: Potential binding partners that recognize this modification, such as reader proteins .
Epigenetic Regulation: Possible role in cellular processes like DNA repair or cell cycle progression, as seen with other histone variants .
While the exact biological function of this modification remains understudied, antibodies like 2-hydroxyisobutyryl-HIST1H2AG (K74) enable researchers to explore its distribution and dynamics in cellular contexts .
The antibody is primarily used in:
Cell Lysis: Extract histones from treated cells.
Western Blot: Resolve histones via SDS-PAGE, transfer to membrane, and probe with the antibody .
Signal Detection: Use secondary antibodies conjugated to enzymes (e.g., HRP) for visualization .
Note: Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) compatibility is not explicitly validated for this antibody, though similar histone antibodies are used in ChIP assays .
Specificity: Cross-reactivity with other histone variants or PTMs must be ruled out .
Validation: Users should confirm antibody performance in their experimental system (e.g., cell type, treatment conditions) .
Limited Data: Few studies directly address 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation, necessitating further validation .
Histone H2A (K74) is a core component of the nucleosome, the fundamental structural unit of chromatin. Nucleosomes package and compact DNA, thereby regulating access for cellular machinery involved in transcription, DNA repair, replication, and maintenance of chromosomal stability. This regulation is achieved through a complex interplay of post-translational histone modifications, often referred to as the histone code, and dynamic nucleosome remodeling.
2-hydroxyisobutyryl-HIST1H2AG (K74) Antibody is a polyclonal antibody that specifically recognizes the 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation modification at lysine 74 (K74) of Histone H2A type 1 (HIST1H2AG). This antibody enables the detection and study of a specific post-translational modification involved in epigenetic regulation . The antibody binds to peptide sequences around the site of 2-hydroxyisobutyryl-Lys (74) derived from Human Histone H2A .
These antibodies recognize the same histone protein (HIST1H2AG) but target different lysine residues that undergo 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation:
Different lysine residues may have distinct functional roles in gene regulation, making these antibodies complementary tools for comprehensive epigenetic research .
The antibody has been validated for multiple experimental applications:
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for quantitative detection
Western Blotting (WB) at dilutions of 1:100-1:1000 for protein detection
Immunocytochemistry (ICC) at dilutions of 1:500-1:1000 for cellular localization
These applications make it suitable for detection, quantification, and localization studies of 2-hydroxyisobutyrylated histone H2A in research settings.
For optimal antibody performance, follow these storage guidelines:
Short-term storage (up to 2 weeks): Maintain refrigerated at 2-8°C
Long-term storage: Store at -20°C or -80°C in small aliquots
Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles as they can compromise antibody activity
The antibody is supplied in a buffer containing 50% Glycerol and 0.03% Proclin 300 as preservatives
With proper storage, the antibody remains stable for approximately 12 months from the date of receipt .
For optimal Western blot results with this antibody:
Sample preparation: Extract histones using acid extraction or commercial histone extraction kits
Gel separation: Use 15-18% SDS-PAGE gels to properly resolve histone proteins
Transfer: Employ PVDF membranes for optimal protein binding and signal
Blocking: Block with 5% non-fat dry milk or BSA in TBST for 1 hour at room temperature
Primary antibody incubation: Dilute 2-hydroxyisobutyryl-HIST1H2AG (K74) Antibody to 1:100-1:1000 in blocking buffer and incubate overnight at 4°C
Washing: Wash membranes 3-5 times with TBST
Secondary antibody: Use anti-rabbit IgG conjugated to HRP or fluorescent tags
Detection: Develop using ECL or fluorescence-based detection systems
Recommended positive controls include human cell lines such as HeLa or A529, which express detectable levels of 2-hydroxyisobutyrylated histones .
For immunocytochemistry applications:
Cell preparation: Culture cells on coverslips and fix with 4% paraformaldehyde for 10 minutes
Permeabilization: Treat with 0.2% Triton X-100 for 10 minutes
Blocking: Block with 5% normal serum in PBS for 1 hour
Primary antibody: Dilute 2-hydroxyisobutyryl-HIST1H2AG (K74) Antibody at 1:500-1:1000 and incubate overnight at 4°C
Washing: Wash 3 times with PBS
Secondary antibody: Apply fluorescently-labeled anti-rabbit secondary antibody for 1 hour at room temperature
Nuclear counterstaining: Use DAPI for nuclear visualization
Mounting and imaging: Mount with anti-fade medium and observe under fluorescence microscope
This protocol enables visualization of the nuclear localization pattern of 2-hydroxyisobutyrylated HIST1H2AG.
To validate antibody specificity:
Peptide competition assay: Pre-incubate the antibody with excess 2-hydroxyisobutyryl-K74 peptide before immunostaining; a specific antibody will show reduced or no signal
Knockout/knockdown controls: Use CRISPR/Cas9 to delete HIST1H2AG or siRNA to knockdown its expression
Mass spectrometry validation: Confirm the presence of 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation at K74 by immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry
Cross-reactivity testing: Test against similar histone modifications (e.g., acetylation, butyrylation) to ensure specificity
Multiple antibody approach: Compare with other antibodies targeting the same modification at different lysine residues (K9, K95)
Validation approaches similar to those used for other histone modifications in the literature can help confirm the specificity of antibody binding to the 2-hydroxyisobutyrylated K74 residue.
2-hydroxyisobutyrylation is a relatively newly discovered histone modification compared to acetylation, methylation, and phosphorylation. Key comparisons:
Chemical structure: 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation involves addition of a bulkier group (2-hydroxyisobutyryl) compared to acetylation
Genomic distribution: 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation can occur at multiple lysine residues (K9, K74, K95) on HIST1H2AG
Functional roles: Emerging evidence suggests that 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation may have distinct roles in transcriptional regulation
Regulatory enzymes: Writers and erasers of 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation are still being characterized, unlike the well-established HATs and HDACs for acetylation
Cross-talk: 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation may interact with other histone modifications to form complex regulatory patterns
Understanding these differences is crucial for interpreting experimental results and designing studies to elucidate specific functions of HIST1H2AG 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation.
For Chromatin Immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) applications:
Crosslinking: Fix cells with 1% formaldehyde for 10 minutes at room temperature
Chromatin preparation: Sonicate chromatin to fragments of 200-500 bp
Immunoprecipitation:
Use 2-5 μg of 2-hydroxyisobutyryl-HIST1H2AG (K74) Antibody per IP reaction
Incubate with chromatin overnight at 4°C
Capture antibody-chromatin complexes with Protein A/G beads
Washing: Perform stringent washes to remove non-specific binding
Elution and reversal of crosslinks: Elute DNA and reverse crosslinks at 65°C
Library preparation: Prepare sequencing libraries following standard protocols
Validation: Validate enrichment by qPCR before sequencing
This protocol allows genome-wide mapping of 2-hydroxyisobutyrylated HIST1H2AG (K74) binding sites to identify regulated genes and potential functional roles.
To comprehensively analyze the functional significance:
Multi-omics approach:
Perform parallel ChIP-seq with antibodies targeting different modifications (K9, K74, K95 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation, acetylation, methylation)
Integrate with RNA-seq to correlate modifications with gene expression
Add ATAC-seq to assess chromatin accessibility
Sequential ChIP (Re-ChIP):
Perform ChIP with one modification antibody followed by a second with another antibody
This determines co-occurrence of modifications on the same histone molecules
Mass spectrometry-based quantification:
Enables detection of combinatorial modifications on the same histone tail
Provides stoichiometric information about modification abundance
Machine learning integration:
This integrated approach provides deeper insights into how 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation at K74 contributes to the histone code and gene regulation.
| Issue | Possible Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Weak or no signal in Western blot | Insufficient protein, antibody dilution too high, improper transfer | Increase protein loading (15-20 μg of histone extract), optimize antibody concentration (try 1:100), check transfer efficiency with Ponceau S staining |
| High background | Insufficient blocking, antibody concentration too high | Increase blocking time (2 hours), increase washing steps, dilute antibody further (1:1000) |
| Non-specific bands | Cross-reactivity with other 2-hydroxyisobutyrylated proteins | Use peptide competition assay, perform preabsorption with recombinant histones |
| Inconsistent results | Degradation of antibody, inconsistent sample preparation | Aliquot antibody to avoid freeze-thaw cycles, standardize histone extraction protocol |
| Poor ICC staining | Inadequate fixation, insufficient permeabilization | Optimize fixation time, increase permeabilization time or detergent concentration |
Careful optimization of protocols for each experimental system is essential for obtaining reliable and reproducible results .
Several experimental factors can influence the detection of this modification:
Cell culture conditions: Cell density, serum levels, and metabolic state can affect global 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation levels
Extraction methods: Acid extraction is generally preferred for histone modifications to maintain their integrity
Fixation protocols: Over-fixation may mask epitopes and reduce antibody binding
Buffer composition: Presence of deacetylase inhibitors (e.g., sodium butyrate, TSA) may indirectly affect 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation levels
Sample handling: Rapid processing minimizes enzymatic removal of modifications
Detection systems: Enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) vs. fluorescence-based detection may provide different sensitivity levels
Standardizing these conditions across experiments is crucial for reproducible detection and quantification of 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation patterns.
The field is evolving rapidly, with several promising research directions:
Metabolic regulation of 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation: Investigating how cellular metabolism influences this modification
Dynamic regulation during development: Mapping changes in 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation patterns during cell differentiation and development
Role in disease processes: Exploring alterations in 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation in cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and other disorders
Cross-talk with other epigenetic mechanisms: Understanding how 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation interacts with DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling, and other histone modifications
Identification of reader proteins: Discovering proteins that specifically recognize and bind to 2-hydroxyisobutyrylated histones
Development of selective inhibitors/modulators: Creating compounds that can specifically target the enzymes regulating this modification
These emerging areas represent opportunities for researchers to make significant contributions to epigenetic research using 2-hydroxyisobutyryl-HIST1H2AG (K74) Antibody.
Integrating this antibody into single-cell techniques offers exciting possibilities:
Single-cell CUT&Tag: Adapt CUT&Tag protocols using 2-hydroxyisobutyryl-HIST1H2AG (K74) Antibody to map this modification at single-cell resolution
Mass cytometry (CyTOF): Develop metal-conjugated antibodies against 2-hydroxyisobutyrylated HIST1H2AG for high-dimensional single-cell analysis
In situ hybridization combined with immunofluorescence: Simultaneously detect gene expression and 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation patterns in individual cells
Live-cell imaging: Develop cell-permeable antibody fragments or nanobodies for tracking dynamics of 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation in living cells
Spatial transcriptomics integration: Combine with spatial transcriptomics to correlate 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation patterns with gene expression in tissue contexts
These approaches would provide unprecedented insights into cell-to-cell variability in 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation patterns and their functional significance.