ADAMTS16 (A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase with ThromboSpondin motifs 16) is a member of the ADAMTS family of secreted proteinases. This protein has emerged as a critical regulator in multiple physiological and pathological processes. Research has shown that ADAMTS16 plays crucial roles in:
Blood pressure regulation via mechanisms involving TGF-β signaling
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer metastasis, particularly in lung adenocarcinoma
The importance of ADAMTS16 in these diverse pathways makes antibodies against this protein valuable tools for investigating disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.
ADAMTS16 antibodies have several validated research applications:
| Application | Validated Dilutions | Common Sample Types |
|---|---|---|
| Western Blot (WB) | 1:500-1:2000 | Cell lysates, tissue extracts |
| ELISA | 1:2000-1:40000 | Serum, cell culture supernatants |
| Immunohistochemistry (IHC) | 1:100-1:300 | FFPE tissue sections |
| Immunocytochemistry (ICC) | Varies by antibody | Fixed cells |
These applications allow researchers to detect, quantify, and localize ADAMTS16 in various experimental settings, facilitating investigations into its expression patterns and functional roles .
Studies have shown tissue-specific expression patterns for ADAMTS16:
Kidney: Prominently expressed, making it relevant for blood pressure regulation studies
Heart: Expressed and upregulated in cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure models
Lung: Detected in lung tissue and implicated in lung adenocarcinoma progression
Other tissues: Also detected in thymus, liver, and spleen at varying levels
This tissue distribution pattern informs the selection of appropriate positive control samples for antibody validation and experimental design.
Selection criteria should include:
Epitope consideration: Determine which domain of ADAMTS16 is most relevant to your research question. Some antibodies target the N-terminal region while others target C-terminal domains. For instance, antibodies raised against synthetic peptides within human ADAMTS16 may recognize different epitopes .
Validated applications: Confirm that the antibody has been validated for your specific application:
Species reactivity: Verify cross-reactivity with your experimental model organism. Most commercial ADAMTS16 antibodies react with human and mouse samples .
Published validation: Review literature citations where the antibody has been successfully used. For example, ab45048 has been cited in 5 publications according to search result .
A robust experimental design should include:
Positive controls:
Negative controls:
Specificity controls:
Blocking peptide experiments using the immunizing peptide
Comparison of results with multiple antibodies targeting different epitopes of ADAMTS16
Based on published research protocols:
Gel percentage selection: Use 8% SDS-PAGE gels, as documented in successful detection protocols .
Sample preparation considerations:
Antibody dilution optimization:
Band pattern interpretation:
ADAMTS16 presents complex banding patterns that require careful interpretation:
Expected molecular weight variations:
Post-translational modifications:
As a metalloproteinase, ADAMTS16 undergoes proteolytic processing
Glycosylation can increase apparent molecular weight
The presence of thrombospondin motifs can affect protein migration
Sample preparation effects:
Resolution strategies:
Compare results with multiple antibodies targeting different epitopes
Include positive control samples with known expression patterns
Consider using knockout/knockdown samples as negative controls to confirm specificity
ADAMTS16 exhibits context-dependent functions that may appear contradictory:
In cardiac pathology:
In hypertension models:
In cancer models:
Reconciliation approach:
Consider tissue-specific regulatory mechanisms
Evaluate experimental model differences (genetic knockout vs. knockdown)
Examine the specific ADAMTS16 domains involved in each context
Focus on the common TGF-β pathway as a unifying mechanism across different disease models
Consider these factors when evaluating antibody specificity:
Homology with other ADAMTS family members:
Validation strategies to ensure specificity:
Use siRNA knockdown experiments to confirm signal reduction
Compare results from antibodies targeting different epitopes
Include tissues from Adamts16 knockout animals when available
Perform peptide competition assays with the immunizing peptide
Species-specific considerations:
While many antibodies are raised against human ADAMTS16, cross-reactivity with mouse and rat orthologs should be verified
Sequence alignment analysis between species can help predict potential cross-reactivity issues
Research has established ADAMTS16 as a novel regulator of TGF-β activation:
Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) approach:
Functional activation assays:
Combined knockdown and rescue experiments:
This methodology has revealed that the RRFR motif of ADAMTS16 is critical for its interaction with LAP-TGF-β and subsequent TGF-β activation .
Based on recent research in lung adenocarcinoma:
Transcriptome analysis correlation:
In vitro functional assays:
In vivo metastasis models:
Mechanistic investigation:
Research has implicated ADAMTS16 in cardiac remodeling and blood pressure regulation:
Expression analysis in disease models:
Cellular localization studies:
Gain and loss of function approaches:
Therapeutic intervention studies:
A comprehensive validation approach should include:
Western blot validation:
Peptide competition assay:
Pre-incubate antibody with the immunizing peptide
Compare signal with and without peptide competition
Include gradient concentrations of competing peptide
Cross-reactivity assessment:
Test against closely related family members (especially ADAMTS18)
Compare results across multiple species if claiming cross-reactivity
Evaluate antibody performance in overexpression systems
Functional validation:
Multiple approaches are necessary to comprehensively detect and characterize ADAMTS16 isoforms:
Transcript analysis:
Protein isoform detection:
Cellular distribution analysis:
Functional characterization:
Compare activities of different isoforms (e.g., TGF-β activation capacity)
Assess domain-specific functions (especially for isoforms lacking specific domains)
To characterize post-translational modifications:
Glycosylation analysis:
Treat samples with glycosidases (PNGase F, Endo H)
Compare migration patterns before and after treatment
Look for mobility shifts indicating removal of glycans
Proteolytic processing detection:
Use antibodies targeting different domains to detect processing events
Compare results between cell lysates and secreted fractions
Include protease inhibitors during sample preparation to prevent artifactual processing
Phosphorylation studies:
Immunoprecipitate ADAMTS16 and probe with phospho-specific antibodies
Use phosphatase treatment to confirm specificity
Consider mass spectrometry for comprehensive phosphorylation site mapping
Other modifications:
Investigate potential ubiquitination or SUMOylation through immunoprecipitation followed by specific antibody detection
Assess disulfide bond formation through non-reducing versus reducing conditions
Emerging research suggests ADAMTS16 as a potential therapeutic target:
Target validation approaches:
Use antibodies to monitor ADAMTS16 expression in disease versus normal tissues
Correlate expression levels with disease progression and outcomes
Evaluate changes in expression following therapeutic interventions
Functional blocking studies:
Biomarker development:
Combination therapy approaches:
Test ADAMTS16 inhibition in combination with TGF-β pathway modulators
Monitor effects on disease progression in animal models
Use antibodies to confirm target engagement
As single-cell technologies advance, several approaches can be applied:
Single-cell immunostaining:
Optimize ADAMTS16 antibody dilutions for immunocytochemistry
Combine with markers of cell identity and activation state
Use confocal microscopy to assess subcellular localization
Mass cytometry (CyTOF) applications:
Metal-conjugate ADAMTS16 antibodies for CyTOF analysis
Combine with panels of cell type-specific and signaling markers
Analyze heterogeneity in expression across cell populations
In situ hybridization with protein co-detection:
Combine RNAscope for ADAMTS16 transcript with antibody detection of protein
Assess correlation between transcript and protein levels at single-cell resolution
Identify cell types expressing ADAMTS16 in complex tissues
Spatial transcriptomics integration:
Validate transcriptomic findings with antibody-based protein detection
Map ADAMTS16 expression to specific tissue microenvironments
Correlate with expression of interacting partners (e.g., TGF-β)