Western Blot (WB): Detects a ~14–15 kDa band in HeLa, C6, and mouse brain lysates .
Immunocytochemistry/Immunofluorescence (ICC/IF): Validated in HeLa cells and rat glioma (C6) cells .
Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP): Used in studies mapping acetylated histone marks (e.g., modENCODE project) .
ELISA: Quantitative detection of acetyl-HIST1H2BB (K5) in peptide assays .
Specificity: Binds exclusively to acetylated K5 on HIST1H2BB, with no cross-reactivity to non-acetylated H2B or other acetylated lysine residues (e.g., H2BK12ac or H2BK15ac) .
Species Reactivity: Primarily human, though some clones recognize mouse, rat, and monkey epitopes .
H2B K5 acetylation represents a critical post-translational modification of histone proteins that plays a significant role in chromatin structure modulation and gene expression regulation. This specific modification occurs on lysine 5 of the Histone H2B type 1-B protein (HIST1H2BB), which is encoded by the HIST1H2BB gene with accession number P33778 . The acetylation of this residue contributes to the destabilization of nucleosome structure by neutralizing the positive charge on lysine, thereby reducing histone-DNA interaction strength. Mechanistically, this modification creates a more accessible chromatin state that facilitates transcription factor binding and RNA polymerase recruitment, promoting active transcription of associated genes.
The Acetyl-HIST1H2BB (K5) Antibody has been validated for multiple experimental applications based on comprehensive testing protocols. These applications include:
For optimal detection of H2B K5 acetylation, sample preparation must be carefully optimized according to the experimental technique being employed. For immunofluorescence studies, cells should be fixed with either 100% methanol (5 minutes) or 4% paraformaldehyde followed by permeabilization with 0.1% Triton X-100 . For chromatin immunoprecipitation applications, cells should be treated with a crosslinking agent (typically 1% formaldehyde for 10 minutes), followed by chromatin extraction and fragmentation using micrococcal nuclease digestion or sonication to achieve fragments of 200-500bp . When performing Western blot analysis, histone extraction protocols using acid extraction methods are recommended to efficiently isolate histones while preserving their post-translational modifications. The inclusion of histone deacetylase inhibitors (such as sodium butyrate at 30mM for 4 hours) can enhance detection by increasing global acetylation levels .
Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq) with Acetyl-HIST1H2BB (K5) Antibody enables comprehensive mapping of this specific histone modification across the genome. The methodology involves:
Crosslinking chromatin with formaldehyde to preserve protein-DNA interactions
Fragmenting chromatin to appropriate size (200-500bp) using sonication or micrococcal nuclease
Immunoprecipitating with Acetyl-HIST1H2BB (K5) Antibody at optimized concentration (typically 5-10μg per 4×10^6 cells)
Washing to remove non-specific interactions
Reverse crosslinking and DNA purification
Library preparation and high-throughput sequencing
Bioinformatic analysis to identify enriched regions
Experimental validation has demonstrated successful chromatin immunoprecipitation using the antibody against the β-Globin promoter after treatment with sodium butyrate to increase acetylation levels . Quantification using real-time PCR with specific primers provides a measure of enrichment compared to control IgG immunoprecipitation. For genome-wide studies, appropriate normalization using input controls is essential for accurate peak calling and interpretation.
Rigorous experimental design for epigenetic studies using Acetyl-HIST1H2BB (K5) Antibody requires the implementation of multiple controls:
The implementation of these controls ensures experimental rigor and facilitates the distinction between genuine biological signals and technical artifacts, which is particularly crucial when investigating subtle epigenetic changes.
Distinguishing between different histone H2B variants presents a significant challenge due to their high sequence similarity. The Acetyl-HIST1H2BB (K5) Antibody specifically recognizes the acetylation of lysine 5 on Histone H2B type 1-B (HIST1H2BB), which has synonyms including H2BFF, Histone H2B.1, and Histone H2B.f . To differentiate between H2B variants:
Employ variant-specific antibodies when available, focusing on unique sequence regions
Utilize mass spectrometry for precise identification of variant-specific peptides and their modifications
Consider complementary genetic approaches (e.g., variant-specific tagging) when studying specific variants
Interpret immunoprecipitation data with awareness of potential cross-reactivity with other H2B variants
Validate findings using recombinant H2B variant proteins as controls in Western blot analysis
When interpreting results, researchers should acknowledge the limitations of antibody-based approaches and consider integrating orthogonal methods for conclusive variant identification.
Background signal represents a significant challenge in experiments utilizing Acetyl-HIST1H2BB (K5) Antibody. Common causes and their solutions include:
Non-specific antibody binding: Increase blocking stringency using 5% BSA or 10% normal serum in PBS/TBST for 30-60 minutes
Insufficient washing: Implement additional wash steps with increasing stringency buffers (0.1-0.3% Triton X-100)
Over-fixation masking epitopes: Optimize fixation conditions; test reduced fixation times or alternative methods
Cross-reactivity with other acetylated proteins: Perform pre-absorption with non-target proteins or peptides
High antibody concentration: Titrate antibody concentrations systematically to determine optimal signal-to-noise ratio
Non-specific secondary antibody binding: Include isotype controls and consider direct conjugation formats
Additional optimization may include inclusion of glycine (0.3M) to reduce non-specific protein interactions, as demonstrated in successful immunofluorescence protocols with HeLa cells .
Optimizing ChIP experiments with Acetyl-HIST1H2BB (K5) Antibody requires attention to several critical parameters:
Chromatin preparation: Ensure optimal crosslinking (1% formaldehyde, 10 minutes at room temperature) and fragmentation to 200-500bp
Antibody titration: Test multiple antibody concentrations; successful experiments have used 8μg antibody per 4×10^6 cells
Pre-clearing chromatin: Incubate chromatin with protein A/G beads before immunoprecipitation to reduce non-specific binding
HDAC inhibitor treatment: Pre-treat cells with sodium butyrate (30mM for 4 hours) to increase acetylation levels
Incubation conditions: Extend antibody-chromatin incubation (overnight at 4°C) with gentle rotation
Wash optimization: Implement sequential washes with increasing salt concentration to reduce background
Elution efficiency: Optimize elution conditions to maximize recovery of specifically bound chromatin
ChIP efficiency can be quantitatively assessed using qPCR with primers against known targets, such as the β-Globin promoter region, comparing enrichment to normal rabbit IgG control immunoprecipitation .
Analysis of histone modifications in tissue samples presents distinct challenges compared to cell line models:
Parameter | Cell Lines | Tissue Samples | Optimization Strategy |
---|---|---|---|
Acetylation Heterogeneity | Relatively homogeneous | Highly variable between cell types | Single-cell approaches or cell sorting |
Fixation Penetration | Uniform and efficient | Variable and potentially incomplete | Optimize fixation time and conditions |
Background Autofluorescence | Minimal | Often significant | Additional blocking and autofluorescence quenching |
Chromatin Accessibility | Consistent | Variable between cell types | Adjust nuclease digestion parameters |
Target Abundance | Generally consistent | Highly variable | Increase antibody concentration or sample input |
For tissue samples, successful immunofluorescence analysis requires optimization of antigen retrieval methods, such as heat-mediated retrieval with sodium citrate buffer (pH 6.0) for 20 minutes, as demonstrated in human breast carcinoma FFPE sections .
Interpreting changes in H2B K5 acetylation requires integration of multiple data types and contextual understanding:
Correlation analysis: Compare ChIP-seq profiles of H2B K5ac with transcriptome data (RNA-seq) to identify correlations between acetylation changes and gene expression
Genomic distribution: Analyze enrichment patterns at transcription start sites, enhancers, and gene bodies
Co-occurrence with other modifications: Examine relationships with other histone marks (e.g., H3K27ac, H3K4me3)
Temporal dynamics: Consider time-course data to distinguish cause-effect relationships
Cell-type specificity: Account for cell-type-specific baseline acetylation levels
Quantitative analysis should include peak height/area measurements normalized to appropriate controls, with statistical testing to determine significant changes. Integration with transcription factor binding data can provide mechanistic insights into how acetylation changes influence transcriptional machinery recruitment.
Quantification approaches must be tailored to the specific experimental technique:
Technique | Quantification Method | Normalization Approach | Statistical Analysis |
---|---|---|---|
ChIP-qPCR | Percent input method | Normalization to IgG control | Student's t-test or ANOVA |
ChIP-seq | Peak calling algorithms | Input normalization, spike-in controls | DESeq2, edgeR, or MACS2 |
Immunofluorescence | Mean nuclear intensity | Background subtraction, DAPI normalization | Mann-Whitney U or t-test |
Western Blot | Densitometry | Total H2B or housekeeping proteins | Ratio paired t-test |
ELISA | Standard curve method | Reference standards | Four-parameter logistic regression |
For immunofluorescence quantification, multi-channel analysis with antibodies detecting total H2B provides crucial normalization to account for variations in histone content between cells . For genomic analyses, biological replicates are essential for robust statistical inference.
Distinguishing direct from indirect effects requires sophisticated experimental approaches:
Enzyme inhibitor studies: Use specific HAT or HDAC inhibitors to identify enzymes directly modifying H2B K5
Mutation analysis: Generate lysine-to-arginine mutations at K5 to prevent acetylation
Enzyme recruitment assays: Perform ChIP for HATs/HDACs alongside H2B K5ac to identify co-localization
Sequential ChIP (Re-ChIP): Determine co-occurrence of multiple modifications on the same nucleosomes
In vitro acetylation assays: Test direct enzymatic activity on recombinant or purified histones
Temporal studies: Establish modification order through time-course experiments
Integration of these approaches provides a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory mechanisms controlling H2B K5 acetylation and its functional consequences in different biological contexts.
Integration of H2B K5 acetylation analysis with single-cell technologies represents an emerging frontier in epigenetic research:
Single-cell CUT&Tag/CUT&Run: Adapt antibody concentration and protocol for low cell number applications
Single-cell immunofluorescence: Optimize antibody dilution (1:2000 range) for detection in individual fixed cells
Mass cytometry (CyTOF): Metal-conjugated antibodies enable multi-parameter single-cell analysis
Imaging mass cytometry: Combines antibody specificity with spatial resolution in tissue sections
Microfluidic platforms: Enable processing of individual cells for chromatin analysis
These approaches require careful optimization of Acetyl-HIST1H2BB (K5) Antibody concentration, incubation conditions, and signal amplification strategies due to the limited target material in single cells.
Multiplexed detection of histone modifications requires strategic experimental design:
Antibody species selection: Use antibodies raised in different host species (e.g., rabbit anti-H2B K5ac with mouse anti-H3K27ac)
Fluorophore selection: Choose spectrally distinct fluorophores to avoid bleed-through
Sequential immunostaining: Consider sequential rather than simultaneous staining for closely spaced epitopes
Controls for epitope masking: Test if antibody binding to one modification affects detection of nearby modifications
Cross-reactivity testing: Validate each antibody individually before combining in multiplexed format
Sample preparation optimization: Ensure compatibility of fixation and permeabilization with all target epitopes
Successful multiplexed immunofluorescence has been demonstrated with Acetyl-HIST1H2BB (K5) Antibody (1:2000 dilution) co-stained with anti-beta Tubulin antibody, using species-specific secondary antibodies (Alexa Fluor 488 and 594) and DAPI nuclear counterstain .
Advanced computational methods significantly improve the extraction of biological insights from epigenetic data:
Machine learning classification: Identify patterns distinguishing different cell states based on acetylation profiles
Integrative analysis pipelines: Combine ChIP-seq, RNA-seq, and ATAC-seq for comprehensive regulatory landscapes
Network analysis: Map interactions between H2B K5ac and other chromatin features
Trajectory inference: Track temporal changes in acetylation during biological processes
Motif discovery: Identify DNA sequence motifs associated with H2B K5ac enrichment
Comparative genomics: Analyze conservation of H2B K5ac patterns across species
These computational approaches enhance the biological interpretation of H2B K5 acetylation data by placing it within broader regulatory contexts and identifying functional relationships with other genomic features.