The At1g64710 antibody is a rabbit-derived recombinant monoclonal antibody conjugated to Alexa Fluor® 647. It specifically binds to the protein encoded by the At1g64710 gene in Arabidopsis thaliana, a model organism widely used in plant genetics and molecular biology. The target protein's functional role remains under investigation, but its gene locus (Chromosome 1, position 64710) suggests involvement in developmental or stress-response pathways .
The antibody is primarily utilized for:
Localization Studies: Mapping the spatial expression of the At1g64710 protein in plant tissues.
Protein Interaction Analysis: Identifying binding partners in signal transduction pathways.
Stress Response Profiling: Investigating upregulated/downregulated expression under abiotic stressors (e.g., drought, salinity) .
Antibodies targeting Arabidopsis proteins like At1g64710 often serve as tools for:
Functional Genomics: Linking gene sequences to phenotypic traits.
CRISPR Validation: Confirming gene-editing outcomes via protein expression checks.
Evolutionary Studies: Comparing conserved domains across plant species .
At1g64710 encodes a plant-specific protein in Arabidopsis thaliana that plays crucial roles in cellular functions. Antibodies against this protein are essential tools for detecting, localizing, and studying its expression patterns and functional interactions. Unlike general protein detection methods, these antibodies provide specific recognition capabilities that allow researchers to investigate protein-protein interactions, subcellular localization, and post-translational modifications. The importance of these antibodies stems from their ability to provide direct evidence of protein presence and modification states in various experimental contexts, including developmental stages and stress responses.
At1g64710 antibodies are typically generated through either polyclonal or monoclonal approaches. For polyclonal antibodies, synthesized peptides from unique regions of the At1g64710 protein are conjugated to carrier proteins and injected into host animals (commonly rabbits). For monoclonal antibody production, B cells from immunized animals are isolated and immortalized through hybridoma technology, a process similar to methods described for therapeutic antibodies . The antibody genes are cloned into expression vectors and transiently expressed in systems like HEK293 cells, followed by purification using affinity chromatography methods such as Protein A Sepharose . Quality control typically involves ELISA screening against the target antigen and Western blot validation with plant extracts containing the native protein to confirm specificity before experimental application.
Before using At1g64710 antibodies in experiments, several critical validation steps should be performed:
Specificity testing: Western blot analysis using wild-type Arabidopsis extracts alongside At1g64710 knockout/knockdown lines to confirm antibody specificity.
Cross-reactivity assessment: Testing against closely related proteins to ensure the antibody does not recognize unintended targets.
Sensitivity determination: Serial dilution tests to establish the lower detection limit.
Functionality verification: Confirming the antibody works in intended applications (immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, etc.).
Lot-to-lot consistency: When using new antibody batches, comparing performance with previously validated lots using standardized protocols and samples.
These validation steps follow principles similar to those used for therapeutic antibodies, where surface binding assays and ELISA assays are employed to confirm target binding before advanced applications . Documentation of all validation experiments creates essential reference data for troubleshooting and interpreting future experimental results.
At1g64710 antibodies serve multiple critical applications in plant research:
Western blotting: Detecting protein expression levels across different tissues, developmental stages, or experimental conditions.
Immunoprecipitation (IP): Isolating At1g64710 protein and its interacting partners to study protein complexes.
Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP): If At1g64710 has DNA-binding properties, analyzing its genomic binding sites.
Immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence: Visualizing subcellular localization and tissue-specific expression patterns.
ELISA: Quantitative measurement of protein levels in plant extracts.
Each application requires specific antibody characteristics. For instance, immunofluorescence typically requires higher affinity antibodies with minimal background binding, while western blotting can often tolerate antibodies with somewhat lower specificity. The selection of appropriate applications should be guided by the antibody's validated performance characteristics, similar to how therapeutic antibodies undergo application-specific validation through binding assays and specificity tests .
Improving At1g64710 antibody specificity for challenging applications involves several advanced strategies:
Epitope optimization: Design antibodies targeting unique regions of At1g64710 with minimal homology to other proteins. Computational prediction tools can identify optimal epitopes.
Affinity maturation: Using directed evolution approaches similar to the DyAb design platform, which has demonstrated success in improving antibody affinity by combining beneficial mutations . This process involves:
Identifying promising point mutations that individually improve binding
Combining these mutations systematically to generate improved variants
Screening the resulting antibodies for enhanced specificity and affinity
Pre-adsorption: Incubating antibodies with related plant proteins to remove cross-reactive antibodies.
Negative selection: During antibody generation, incorporating steps to remove antibodies that bind to closely related proteins.
Custom purification: Affinity purification against the specific epitope to enrich for antibodies targeting the region of interest.
For particularly challenging targets, researchers might employ approaches analogous to structure-guided antibody design, where crystal structures and computer modeling help predict binding interactions . These sophisticated approaches can increase antibody specificity by 80-90% compared to conventional methods.
When At1g64710 antibody experiments fail, systematic troubleshooting should follow this methodological framework:
Antibody validation reassessment:
Verify antibody specificity against recombinant At1g64710 protein
Test with positive and negative control samples (knockout/overexpression lines)
Analyze antibody quality via SDS-PAGE to check for degradation
Experimental conditions optimization:
Adjust antibody concentration (create a dilution series)
Modify blocking agents to reduce background
Test different incubation times and temperatures
Try alternative buffer compositions
Sample preparation evaluation:
Ensure protein extraction method preserves the epitope
Consider native vs. denaturing conditions
Test fresh vs. stored samples
Evaluate potential post-translational modifications affecting epitope recognition
Technical modifications:
For Western blots: Try different transfer methods, membrane types, or detection systems
For immunoprecipitation: Adjust lysis conditions, bead types, or washing stringency
For immunofluorescence: Test alternative fixation methods or antigen retrieval techniques
Similar troubleshooting approaches are used in therapeutic antibody development, where binding assays are carefully optimized to ensure reliable results . Documentation of all troubleshooting steps creates valuable reference data for future experiments.
Quantitative evaluation of At1g64710 antibody binding characteristics requires several advanced analytical approaches:
Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) analysis:
Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC):
Provides thermodynamic parameters of binding
Measures binding stoichiometry and enthalpy changes
Offers label-free detection system
Bio-Layer Interferometry (BLI):
Analyzes binding kinetics in real-time
Requires minimal sample volume
Provides data comparable to SPR
Quantitative ELISA:
Determines EC50 values
Establishes detection limits
Evaluates cross-reactivity percentages
Competitive binding assays:
Assesses epitope specificity
Measures relative binding affinities
Evaluates potential interference from other proteins
These quantitative analyses provide critical parameters like KD values (typically in the nanomolar range for good research antibodies) and specificity ratios (target protein vs. related proteins). For optimal experimental design, researchers should seek antibodies with KD values below 10 nM and specificity ratios exceeding 100:1. Recording these parameters creates important reference data for comparing antibody performance across different experimental contexts.
Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) studies with At1g64710 antibodies require careful consideration of several factors:
Antibody suitability assessment:
Confirm the antibody can recognize native (non-denatured) At1g64710 protein
Verify the epitope is accessible in protein complexes
Test antibody performance in preliminary IP experiments
Optimization of lysis conditions:
Evaluate different detergent types and concentrations
Test various salt concentrations to preserve protein-protein interactions
Consider buffer additives (protease inhibitors, phosphatase inhibitors)
Adjust lysis parameters based on subcellular localization of At1g64710
Control experiment design:
Include negative controls (non-specific IgG, knockdown/knockout samples)
Use positive controls (known interacting partners if available)
Consider competing peptide controls to demonstrate specificity
Washing stringency balance:
Optimize wash conditions to remove non-specific binding without disrupting genuine interactions
Consider performing parallel experiments with different washing stringencies
Detection method selection:
Determine whether Western blotting, mass spectrometry, or both will be used for detection
Select appropriate secondary detection antibodies or mass spec preparation protocols
These methodologies mirror approaches used in therapeutic antibody research, where careful optimization of binding conditions is essential for accurate results . Detailed documentation of all experimental parameters facilitates troubleshooting and ensures reproducibility.
Optimal Western blotting protocols for At1g64710 antibodies should address several critical parameters:
Sample preparation:
Use extraction buffers containing appropriate detergents (1% Triton X-100 or 0.1% SDS)
Include protease inhibitors to prevent degradation
Determine optimal protein concentration (typically 20-50 μg per lane)
Heat samples at 95°C for 5 minutes in reducing SDS sample buffer
Gel selection and transfer parameters:
Choose gel percentage based on At1g64710 size (typically 10-12% for medium-sized proteins)
Select appropriate membrane type (PVDF generally offers better protein retention)
Optimize transfer conditions (wet transfer at 100V for 1 hour or 30V overnight)
Blocking and antibody incubation:
Test different blocking solutions (5% non-fat milk vs. 3-5% BSA)
Determine optimal primary antibody dilution (typically 1:1000 to 1:5000)
Incubate primary antibody at 4°C overnight for best results
Use appropriate secondary antibody dilution (typically 1:5000 to 1:10000)
Detection and analysis:
Select detection method based on sensitivity requirements (chemiluminescence vs. fluorescence)
Include loading controls (anti-actin or anti-tubulin antibodies)
Use quantification software for densitometric analysis
Document image acquisition parameters for reproducibility
These methods incorporate principles similar to those used in therapeutic antibody research, where careful optimization of detection conditions ensures reliable results . Creating a detailed protocol with all optimized parameters provides a valuable reference for future experiments.
Designing rigorous experiments to study At1g64710 protein-protein interactions requires a multi-technique approach:
Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) strategy:
Use At1g64710 antibodies to pull down the protein complex
Extract proteins under non-denaturing conditions to preserve interactions
Include appropriate controls (IgG control, input samples)
Consider reverse Co-IP to confirm interactions bidirectionally
Analyze by Western blotting for known interactors or mass spectrometry for discovery
Yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) complementary analysis:
Clone At1g64710 coding sequence into bait vector
Screen against prey libraries or specific candidate interactors
Validate positive interactions with directed Y2H assays
Use truncated protein constructs to map interaction domains
Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation (BiFC) for in vivo validation:
Generate fusion constructs with split fluorescent protein fragments
Co-express in plant cells (protoplasts or through stable transformation)
Analyze fluorescence restoration using confocal microscopy
Include appropriate negative and positive controls
Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) for quantitative binding parameters:
Immobilize purified At1g64710 protein or antibody on sensor chip
Measure association and dissociation kinetics with potential interactors
Determine binding affinity constants (KD)
Test different buffer conditions to optimize interaction detection
Proximity-dependent labeling approaches:
Create BioID or TurboID fusions with At1g64710
Express in plant systems to label proximal proteins
Identify labeled proteins by mass spectrometry
Validate key interactions with orthogonal methods
These approaches incorporate principles similar to those used in therapeutic antibody research, where multiple methodologies confirm binding specificity . Creating a comprehensive experimental plan with all these techniques provides robust validation of any identified interactions.
Successful immunolocalization studies with At1g64710 antibodies require careful attention to several critical factors:
Tissue fixation and preparation:
Test different fixatives (4% paraformaldehyde vs. glutaraldehyde mixtures)
Optimize fixation duration (typically 2-4 hours or overnight at 4°C)
Evaluate different embedding media (paraffin vs. resin for light microscopy)
Consider cryosectioning for preservation of certain epitopes
Antigen retrieval optimization:
Test heat-induced epitope retrieval methods (microwave, pressure cooker)
Evaluate different retrieval buffers (citrate buffer pH 6.0 vs. Tris-EDTA pH 9.0)
Determine optimal retrieval duration and temperature
Include controls without retrieval to assess its impact
Antibody dilution and incubation parameters:
Establish optimal primary antibody concentration through dilution series
Compare different incubation temperatures (4°C overnight vs. room temperature)
Test various detection systems (direct fluorophore conjugation vs. secondary antibody)
Include absorption controls to verify specificity
Controls and validation:
Use tissue from At1g64710 knockout/knockdown plants as negative controls
Include peptide competition controls to verify epitope specificity
Compare localization with tagged At1g64710 constructs (GFP fusion proteins)
Consider co-localization with known organelle markers
Image acquisition and analysis:
Standardize microscope settings for comparative analyses
Use appropriate filter sets to minimize autofluorescence (particularly important in plant tissues)
Employ quantitative image analysis methods for signal intensity measurements
Document all imaging parameters for reproducibility
These methodologies mirror approaches used in therapeutic antibody validation, where careful optimization of detection conditions is essential for accurate localization results . Detailed documentation of all protocol parameters facilitates troubleshooting and ensures reproducible localization studies.
Effective use of At1g64710 antibodies in ChIP experiments (if the protein interacts with DNA) requires specific methodological considerations:
Crosslinking optimization:
Test different formaldehyde concentrations (typically 1-3%)
Optimize crosslinking duration (usually 10-20 minutes at room temperature)
Consider dual crosslinking with protein-specific crosslinkers
Include non-crosslinked controls to assess efficiency
Chromatin preparation protocols:
Optimize sonication parameters to achieve 200-500 bp fragments
Verify fragmentation efficiency by agarose gel electrophoresis
Determine optimal chromatin amount for immunoprecipitation
Pre-clear chromatin to reduce non-specific binding
Immunoprecipitation conditions:
Test different antibody amounts to identify optimal concentration
Compare various incubation durations (overnight at 4°C is standard)
Evaluate different bead types (protein A, protein G, or magnetic beads)
Optimize wash buffers to balance specificity with yield
Controls and validation:
Include input chromatin control (typically 1-10% of IP material)
Use IgG control from the same species as the At1g64710 antibody
Test in At1g64710 knockout/knockdown plants as negative controls
Validate enrichment at known binding sites by qPCR before sequencing
DNA recovery and analysis:
Reverse crosslinks completely (typically overnight at 65°C)
Include RNase and proteinase K digestion steps
Purify DNA using phenol-chloroform extraction or column-based methods
Quantify recovered DNA before library preparation for sequencing
These approaches incorporate principles similar to those used in therapeutic antibody validation, where specificity testing and appropriate controls ensure reliable results . Creating a detailed ChIP protocol with all optimized parameters provides a valuable reference for consistent experiments.
When researchers encounter unexpected At1g64710 antibody binding patterns, a structured interpretation and validation approach is essential:
Systematic verification of unexpected results:
Repeat the experiment with independent biological replicates
Test different antibody lots to rule out batch-specific effects
Use alternative detection methods to confirm observations
Verify with different antibodies targeting other epitopes of At1g64710
Analysis of protein modifications or variants:
Consider post-translational modifications affecting antibody recognition
Investigate potential splice variants of At1g64710
Examine protein complexes that might mask or expose epitopes
Test denaturing vs. native conditions to assess conformation effects
Exploration of biologically relevant explanations:
Evaluate if experimental conditions induce changes in At1g64710 expression
Consider developmental stage-specific or stress-induced modifications
Investigate tissue-specific processing of the protein
Assess potential proteolytic cleavage products
Technical validation approaches:
For unexpected bands in Western blots: Perform mass spectrometry identification
For unusual localization: Validate with GFP-fusion proteins
For unexpected interactors: Confirm with reciprocal co-immunoprecipitation
For novel DNA binding sites: Validate with orthogonal methods like EMSA
Documentation and reporting:
Record all unexpected patterns with detailed experimental conditions
Compare with literature reports on related proteins
Consider consulting with antibody manufacturers for technical insights
Maintain transparent reporting of unexpected results in publications
This systematic approach to interpreting unexpected results mirrors methods used in therapeutic antibody research, where thorough validation confirms binding specificity . Rigorous follow-up on unexpected findings often leads to novel biological insights about protein function.
Robust statistical analysis of quantitative At1g64710 antibody-based experiments requires several specific approaches:
Verifying At1g64710 antibody specificity in complex plant tissues requires a multi-faceted approach:
Genetic controls implementation:
Compare wild-type plants with At1g64710 knockout/knockdown lines
Use tissue-specific or inducible At1g64710 expression systems
Test in overexpression lines to confirm signal intensity correlation
Examine closely related Arabidopsis species for cross-reactivity
Biochemical validation methods:
Perform peptide competition assays (pre-incubating antibody with immunizing peptide)
Use recombinant At1g64710 protein as a positive control
Test against plant extracts fractionated by size exclusion chromatography
Validate with immunodepletion experiments
Orthogonal detection approaches:
Compare antibody-based detection with fluorescent protein fusions
Correlate protein detection with transcript levels (RT-qPCR)
Use mass spectrometry to confirm identity of detected proteins
Combine with in situ hybridization to correlate protein and mRNA localization
Cross-reactivity assessment:
Test antibody against proteins with similar domains
Examine potential cross-reactivity in proteome databases
Evaluate species specificity across related plant species
Check reactivity in different developmental stages and tissues
Specialized tissue-specific controls:
Include autofluorescence controls for plant tissues
Use tissue clearing techniques to improve signal-to-noise ratio
Compare fixation methods that may affect epitope accessibility
Test in protoplasts to eliminate cell wall interference
These validation approaches incorporate principles similar to those used in therapeutic antibody research, where multiple methodologies confirm binding specificity . Implementing this comprehensive validation strategy ensures reliable interpretation of At1g64710 antibody-based experiments in complex plant tissues.
Differentiating between specific and non-specific signals in At1g64710 antibody experiments requires a systematic approach:
| Validation Method | Implementation Strategy | Expected Outcome for Specific Signal | Common Pitfalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genetic Controls | Compare signal in wild-type vs. At1g64710 knockout plants | Signal present in wild-type, absent in knockout | Compensatory expression of related genes |
| Peptide Competition | Pre-incubate antibody with immunizing peptide | Specific signal disappears, non-specific remains | Incomplete blocking with peptide |
| Antibody Dilution Series | Test range of antibody concentrations | Specific signal shows concentration-dependent pattern | Non-specific binding at high concentrations |
| Secondary Antibody Control | Omit primary antibody | All specific signal disappears | Sticky secondary antibodies |
| Multiple Antibodies | Use antibodies targeting different At1g64710 epitopes | Consistent pattern with different antibodies | Epitope-specific accessibility issues |
| Signal Correlation | Compare with GFP-tagged At1g64710 expression | Overlap between antibody signal and GFP signal | Interference from GFP tag with localization |
| Method-Specific Controls | Western: size marker correlation IF: autofluorescence controls IP: IgG controls | Signal at expected molecular weight Signal distinct from autofluorescence Enrichment compared to IgG control | Unexpected processing events Channel bleed-through Sticky protein artifacts |
These differentiation methods mirror approaches used in therapeutic antibody validation, where careful controls distinguish specific from non-specific binding . Implementing multiple validation approaches from this table provides strong evidence for signal specificity in At1g64710 antibody experiments.
Comprehensive documentation of At1g64710 antibody use in publications should follow these best practices:
Detailed antibody information reporting:
Full source information (vendor, catalog number, lot number)
Antibody type (monoclonal/polyclonal) and host species
Clonality and clone number for monoclonal antibodies
Target epitope sequence or region information
RRID (Research Resource Identifier) if available
Validation evidence documentation:
Description of specificity tests performed (Western blots, knockouts)
Citation of prior validation studies or manufacturer data
Inclusion of key validation controls in supplementary materials
Explanation of how specificity was verified in the experimental system
Experimental methods transparency:
Complete protocol details (dilutions, incubation times, temperatures)
Buffer compositions and preparation methods
Description of detection systems and parameters
Image acquisition settings and processing methods
Controls and reproducibility information:
Description of positive and negative controls
Number of biological and technical replicates
Statistical methods used for quantitative analyses
Availability of raw data or images in repositories
Limitations acknowledgment:
Discussion of any cross-reactivity issues
Identification of potential epitope accessibility limitations
Explanation of unexpected results or inconsistencies
Consideration of alternative interpretations
These documentation practices align with standards used in therapeutic antibody research, where comprehensive reporting ensures reproducibility . Implementing these best practices enhances the scientific value and reusability of At1g64710 antibody-based research findings.
Several promising future directions are emerging for antibody-based research on plant proteins like At1g64710:
Advanced antibody engineering approaches:
Application of DyAb-like sequence-based antibody design for improved specificity
Development of single-domain antibodies (nanobodies) for enhanced tissue penetration
Creation of bispecific antibodies targeting At1g64710 and interacting partners
Computational design of antibodies with predicted binding properties
Innovative detection technologies:
Super-resolution microscopy for nanoscale protein localization
Multiplexed antibody imaging using spectral unmixing
Expansion microscopy for improved spatial resolution in plant tissues
Live-cell antibody imaging using cell-penetrating antibody fragments
Systems biology integration:
Antibody-based proteomics for comprehensive protein expression profiling
Integration of antibody-based data with transcriptomics and metabolomics
Network analysis of protein-protein interactions
Multi-omics data integration for functional interpretation
Therapeutic applications in plant biotechnology:
Methodological advancements:
Automated validation pipelines for antibody specificity
Machine learning algorithms for antibody design optimization
High-throughput antibody screening platforms
Standardized antibody reporting and validation repositories