The identifier "At1g71180" refers to a hypothetical protein-coding gene on chromosome 1 of Arabidopsis thaliana. Public genomic databases (e.g., TAIR, UniProt) describe it as follows:
Gene Symbol: AT1G71180
Function: Predicted to involve transmembrane transport or stress response (based on homology)
Protein: No experimentally validated structure or function
A PubMed/PMC query for "At1g71180 antibody" returned zero matches. The provided search results focus on:
None address plant gene targets.
Typographical Error: The identifier may be mistyped (e.g., AT1G71180 vs. AT1G71170).
Hypothetical Protein: At1g71180’s protein may lack experimental validation, making antibody development unlikely.
Niche Research: Studies may exist in preprint servers or non-indexed journals, but none were retrievable.
Verify Gene Identifier: Cross-check TAIR (https://www.arabidopsis.org) for updated annotations.
Explore Homologs: Investigate antibodies for homologous proteins in other species.
Antibody Generation: Collaborate with antibody production services (e.g., GenScript, Bio-Rad) for custom development.
Antibody specificity validation is crucial for reliable experimental outcomes. For proper validation, researchers should:
Compare protein detection between wild-type and null mutant samples (knockout lines) to confirm specificity
Perform western blots against recombinant proteins or overexpression lines
Test cross-reactivity against related proteins in Arabidopsis and other plant species
Validate across multiple biological replicates to ensure consistency
The approach demonstrated for BIK1 antibody validation provides a model template, where antibody specificity was confirmed by comparing western blot signals between wild-type and bik1 null mutant seedlings . This rigorous validation approach should be applied for At1g71180 antibodies to prevent misleading results.
Optimized protein extraction is essential for successful At1g71180 detection. For comprehensive extraction, particularly for membrane-associated or low-abundance proteins:
Use extraction buffers containing 50mM HEPES-KOH with protease inhibitors (PMSF, leupeptin)
Include phosphatase inhibitors (sodium pyrophosphate, sodium fluoride, calyculin)
Add stabilizing agents such as sucrose (250mM), glycerol (5%), and EDTA (10mM)
Include reducing agents like DTT (3mM) to maintain protein integrity
Consider adding PVP (0.5%) to remove interfering phenolic compounds
This comprehensive extraction protocol used for BIK1 extraction provides excellent protein recovery while preserving both soluble and membrane-associated protein fractions, making it applicable for detection of diverse Arabidopsis proteins including At1g71180.
For optimal western blot detection of At1g71180:
Denature samples at moderate temperature (65°C for 5 minutes rather than boiling)
Select appropriate SDS-PAGE percentage based on At1g71180's molecular weight
Use tank transfer to nitrocellulose membranes (1 hour) for efficient transfer
Block with PBS-T containing 5% milk at room temperature
Optimize primary antibody dilution (typically starting at 1:1000 to 1:3000)
Incubate overnight at 4°C for maximum sensitivity
Perform stringent washes to reduce background
These parameters are based on successful detection protocols used for plant proteins like BIK1, which was effectively detected using a 1:1000 dilution during overnight incubation at 4°C . Adjustments should be made based on antibody quality and target protein abundance.
Subcellular fractionation can provide crucial insights into At1g71180 protein localization and function:
Ultracentrifugation at 100,000 × g for 30 minutes effectively separates microsomal (P100) from soluble fractions (S100)
Compare protein distribution across total extract, microsomal, and soluble fractions
Analyze at least 30μg of protein from each fraction for reliable detection
Include marker proteins for different compartments as controls
Consider density gradient separation for finer resolution of membranous compartments
This approach successfully distinguished the distribution of BIK1 between soluble and membrane-associated fractions , providing insights into its functional localization. A similar approach would reveal important information about At1g71180's subcellular context.
For studying protein-protein interactions involving At1g71180:
MNase digestion-based nuclei isolation allows gentle extraction while preserving protein interactions
Use protein A magnetic beads for efficient immunoprecipitation
Apply stringent washing conditions (N buffer with 300-500mM NaCl) to reduce non-specific binding
Consider sequential washes with increasing salt concentration
Include appropriate negative controls (non-specific IgG from the same species)
Validate interactions using reciprocal immunoprecipitation approaches
This methodology has been effectively applied for studying histone variant interactions in Arabidopsis and can be adapted for At1g71180 interaction studies to maintain native protein complexes while reducing background.
If At1g71180 is suspected to associate with chromatin, ChIP can be performed with the following considerations:
Optimize crosslinking conditions (typically 1% formaldehyde for 10-15 minutes)
Use MNase digestion to fragment chromatin to mononucleosome level
Employ appropriate sonication parameters if needed for chromatin shearing
Validate ChIP-grade quality of the antibody before proceeding
Include input controls and non-specific IgG immunoprecipitation as negative controls
Consider using tagged constructs (HA-tag) in complementation lines if native antibodies yield poor results
The approaches used for investigating histone variant associations in Arabidopsis provide a useful template, where HA-tagged histones were immunoprecipitated and analyzed by mass spectrometry to determine their interaction partners .
Mass spectrometry provides powerful complementary data to antibody-based approaches:
Use immunoprecipitation followed by MS to identify interaction partners
Apply spectral counting to quantify relative abundance of associated proteins
For post-translational modifications, look for peptides covering key residues
Compare spectral counts between wild-type and mutant samples for validation
Consider analyzing both endogenous and tagged versions of the protein
This integrated approach was successfully employed to study histone variant nucleosome composition, where mass spectrometry analysis of immunoprecipitated nucleosomes revealed the proportions of different histone variants and their modifications .
When antibody-based experiments yield contradictory results:
Verify antibody specificity using multiple approaches (western blot, immunofluorescence)
Test different antibody lots or sources if available
Consider epitope masking due to protein interactions or conformational changes
Analyze native vs. denatured samples to identify context-dependent detection issues
Use orthogonal techniques (fluorescent tagging, mass spectrometry) to validate findings
Examine experimental conditions that might affect protein modifications or degradation
For example, studies on histone modifications initially showed contradictory results regarding H3K27 methylation patterns on different H3 variants, which were resolved through comprehensive analysis using both immunoblotting and mass spectrometry approaches .
For rigorous quantification of At1g71180 across conditions:
Use densitometry analysis of western blots with proper normalization to loading controls
Include standard curves of recombinant protein when possible
Apply statistical analysis across multiple biological replicates (minimum 3)
Consider relative quantification across fractions to determine distribution patterns
For MS data, employ spectral counting or intensity-based approaches
Use appropriate statistical tests (t-test, ANOVA) depending on experimental design
These quantitative approaches enable robust analysis of protein levels, as demonstrated in studies examining histone variant distribution where both western blotting and MS were employed for quantification .
For investigating At1g71180's potential role in plant immunity:
Include appropriate time points after pathogen challenge (typically 0-72h)
Consider both adapted and non-adapted pathogens to differentiate responses
Compare with established immune components (e.g., BIK1) as positive controls
Analyze both local and systemic responses when relevant
Include hormone treatments (SA, JA, ET) to determine pathway interactions
Examine different tissues to identify tissue-specific functions
This experimental design reflects approaches used in MAMP/DAMP perception studies and hormone signaling pathways in Arabidopsis defense responses , which provide a framework for studying potential immune functions of At1g71180.
For generating reliable knockout lines:
Validate homozygosity through genotyping with specific primers
Confirm complete loss of protein expression by western blot
Check for phenotypic complementation with wildtype gene
Examine expression of closely related genes to rule out compensation
Consider generating multiple independent knockout lines using different approaches
Perform RNA-seq to identify potential transcriptome changes
These validation steps ensure that phenotypes can be confidently attributed to loss of At1g71180, similar to the rigorous approach used in the validation of bik1 null mutants .
For BiFC experiments investigating At1g71180 interactions:
Select appropriate fluorophore fragments (split YFP, split GFP)
Test both N-terminal and C-terminal fusions to rule out steric hindrance
Include appropriate controls for spontaneous fluorophore assembly
Perform in planta expression rather than protoplast systems when possible
Validate interactions using alternative methods (co-IP, Y2H)
Quantify fluorescence intensity for semi-quantitative interaction analysis
BiFC has successfully confirmed interactions between pathogen effectors and host targets in Arabidopsis , providing a template for investigating At1g71180 interactions with potential partners.
To identify and characterize post-translational modifications:
Use phospho-specific antibodies if phosphorylation is suspected
Perform immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry analysis
Compare modified peptide abundance across different conditions
Consider lambda phosphatase treatment to confirm phosphorylation
Use site-directed mutagenesis to validate functional significance of modifications
Combine with functional assays to determine biological relevance
This integrated approach was effectively used to characterize histone modifications in Arabidopsis, revealing specific modification patterns associated with different histone variants .