The At3g60350 Antibody is a custom-produced immunological reagent designed to target the protein product of the At3g60350 gene in Arabidopsis thaliana (mouse-ear cress). This antibody is cataloged under CSB-PA868110XA01DOA by Cusabio, with specificity confirmed for Arabidopsis thaliana . The UniProt identifier for the target protein is Q9M224, though limited functional annotation exists in public databases.
The At3g60350 gene encodes a protein of unknown molecular function. Key structural features include:
| Characteristic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Gene locus | Chromosome 3, locus 60350 (AT3G60350) |
| Protein size | Predicted molecular weight based on UniProt: ~25 kDa (exact data pending) |
| Domains | No conserved domains identified via InterPro/Pfam analysis |
| Expression | Ubiquitous in plant tissues (based on Arabidopsis transcriptome data) |
While no direct studies using this antibody are cited in peer-reviewed literature, analogous Arabidopsis antibodies (e.g., anti-m6A antibodies in RNA methylation studies) demonstrate potential applications :
Protein Localization: Tracking subcellular distribution of At3g60350 under stress conditions (e.g., drought, pathogen exposure).
Gene Knockout Validation: Confirming CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion of At3g60350 in mutant lines.
Interaction Screening: Identifying binding partners via co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) or yeast two-hybrid systems.
The antibody landscape for Arabidopsis research includes over 50 commercially available reagents targeting uncharacterized proteins . At3g60350 Antibody shares technical similarities with:
| Antibody | Target | Applications | Cross-Reactivity |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARF2 Antibody | Q94JM3 | WB, IHC | None reported |
| APX5 Antibody | Q7XZP5 | ELISA, Flow cytometry | Brassica napus |
| ANNAT7 Antibody | Q9LX07 | IF, IP | Limited to Brassicaceae |
Key validation metrics for antibodies targeting uncharacterized plant proteins typically include :
Specificity: Western blot showing single band at predicted molecular weight.
Reproducibility: Consistent signal across biological replicates (n ≥ 3).
Negative Controls: No reactivity in knockout mutants (if available).
For At3g60350 Antibody, the manufacturer reports:
Functional Annotation Gap: The unknown biological role of At3g60350 complicates experimental design.
Epitope Stability: Plant secondary metabolites may interfere with antibody-antigen binding in crude extracts .
Ortholog Specificity: No data exists on cross-reactivity with crop species (e.g., Oryza sativa).
CRISPR-Based Phenotyping: Link antibody validation to knockout phenotypic screens.
Multi-Omics Integration: Combine proteomic data with transcriptomic/metabolomic datasets.
Structural Biology: Cryo-EM studies to resolve At3g60350's tertiary structure.
The absence of peer-reviewed studies directly using At3g60350 Antibody highlights the need for:
Antibody validation is critical for ensuring experimental reliability. For At3g60350 antibody validation, implement a multi-step approach:
Western blot analysis using wild-type Arabidopsis extracts alongside At3g60350 knockout/knockdown lines to confirm absence/reduction of signal in mutant lines
Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry to confirm target protein capture
Pre-absorption tests with recombinant At3g60350 protein to verify signal elimination
Cross-reactivity assessment against closely related proteins to confirm specificity
This approach mirrors validation strategies used for other research antibodies, where multiple independent methods are required to establish specificity . Document all validation steps with clear positive and negative controls to strengthen your methodology.
Proper storage is crucial for maintaining antibody functionality. For At3g60350 antibodies:
Store concentrated stock (>1mg/ml) at -80°C in small aliquots to minimize freeze-thaw cycles
For working solutions (diluted to 50-250μg/ml), store at -20°C with 50% glycerol
For short-term storage (1-2 weeks), keep at 4°C with 0.02% sodium azide as preservative
Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles, which can cause protein denaturation and loss of binding capacity
This storage protocol follows standard antibody preservation techniques similar to those used for maintaining activity in other research antibodies such as those against mycobacterial antigens .
Implementing appropriate controls is fundamental to generating reliable immunolocalization data:
| Control Type | Implementation | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Negative control | Samples from At3g60350 knockout plants | Confirms signal specificity |
| Secondary-only control | Omit primary At3g60350 antibody | Detects non-specific secondary binding |
| Peptide competition | Pre-incubate antibody with immunizing peptide | Validates epitope specificity |
| Positive control | Tissues with known At3g60350 expression | Confirms detection system functionality |
| Isotype control | Non-specific IgG of same isotype | Detects non-specific binding |
These controls align with rigorous validation practices similar to those used in multiplex antibody assays, which have demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity in other research contexts .
Epitope mapping offers critical insights for protein interaction studies involving At3g60350:
Phage display techniques can identify the precise amino acid sequence recognized by the antibody
Hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) can provide structural information about the epitope region
Alanine scanning mutagenesis can determine critical residues for antibody binding
Once the epitope is mapped, researchers can:
Predict potential interference with protein-protein interactions
Design experiments to avoid masking of interaction domains
Develop blocking strategies for specific protein functions
Interpret negative results more accurately when antibody binding might interfere with interactions
This approach draws from advanced antibody characterization methods used in other research fields where detailed understanding of epitope binding is crucial for functional studies .
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) can significantly impact antibody recognition of At3g60350:
Phosphorylation status: At3g60350 contains predicted phosphorylation sites that may affect antibody binding. Test antibody recognition using phosphatase-treated samples compared to untreated controls.
Glycosylation effects: If At3g60350 undergoes glycosylation, antibody recognition may be compromised. Compare detection in deglycosylated versus native protein samples.
Proteolytic processing: If At3g60350 undergoes proteolytic cleavage, ensure your antibody targets stable regions unaffected by processing.
Ubiquitination/SUMOylation: These modifications can mask epitopes. Compare detection under conditions that promote or reduce these modifications.
This methodological approach is supported by research showing that differential glycosylation of antibodies themselves can affect their binding properties and downstream functions , suggesting similar principles would apply to their target antigens.
Interpreting quantitative differences requires careful consideration of several factors:
Normalization strategy:
Use multiple reference proteins with stable expression across developmental stages
Apply global normalization methods such as total protein normalization (TPN)
Consider ratiometric analysis against constitutively expressed proteins
Statistical analysis:
Implement segmented regression analysis for developmental time-series data
Use time-series statistical methods rather than simple two-group comparisons
Account for non-linear relationships in developmental expression patterns
Validation approaches:
Correlate antibody signal with transcript levels via RT-qPCR
Confirm with orthogonal methods like mass spectrometry-based quantification
Perform parallel analysis in multiple plant lines
This analytical framework draws from statistical approaches used in quasi-experimental studies that employ segmented regression and time-series analyses , which are particularly relevant for developmental studies.
Robust experimental design is critical for stress response studies:
Treatment design:
Implement a time-course rather than single time-point analysis
Include recovery periods to capture transient responses
Apply multiple stress intensities to capture threshold effects
Controls and replication:
Use split-plant designs where possible (treat part of same plant)
Implement paired statistical analyses to reduce plant-to-plant variation
Include non-stressed controls at each time point to account for developmental changes
Standardization:
Standardize tissue collection timing (circadian effects)
Process all samples simultaneously for immunoblotting
Use internal loading controls specific to each subcellular fraction
This design approach incorporates principles from quasi-experimental studies , emphasizing the importance of appropriate controls and time-series analysis for detecting intervention effects.
Systematic troubleshooting follows this methodological framework:
| Problem | Potential Causes | Methodological Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Weak signal | Low target abundance | Implement protein enrichment (e.g., immunoprecipitation) |
| Epitope masking | Try different extraction buffers to modify protein conformation | |
| Insufficient antibody | Optimize concentration with titration experiments | |
| Inconsistent signal | Protein degradation | Add protease inhibitor cocktail; maintain cold chain |
| Sample variability | Standardize tissue selection and protein extraction | |
| Antibody batch variation | Use consistent lots; prepare standard curves | |
| Non-specific binding | Cross-reactivity | Pre-absorb with related proteins; use higher stringency washes |
| Matrix effects | Modify blocking agents; try different membrane types |
This troubleshooting approach draws from methodologies used in multiplex antibody-based assays that require optimization for maintaining high sensitivity and specificity .
Enhancing signal detection for low-abundance proteins requires specialized approaches:
Signal amplification methods:
Tyramide signal amplification (TSA) for immunohistochemistry
Poly-HRP conjugated secondary antibodies
Biotin-streptavidin amplification systems
Sample preparation optimization:
Targeted subcellular fractionation to concentrate the protein
Protein precipitation techniques to remove interfering compounds
Optimized extraction buffers specific for membrane-associated proteins
Detection system enhancement:
Use of highly sensitive chemiluminescent substrates
Integration of longer exposure times with cooling to reduce background
Application of computational image enhancement with appropriate controls
These methodological approaches align with techniques used in antibody-based diagnostic tests that require high sensitivity for detecting low abundance markers .
Discriminating between specific and non-specific signals requires systematic analysis:
Size verification:
Compare observed molecular weight with predicted size
Account for known post-translational modifications
Verify size shifts in fusion proteins or mutant variants
Comparative analysis:
Analyze signal patterns in knockout/knockdown lines
Compare signals across tissue types with known expression patterns
Examine correlation with transcript levels from RNA-seq data
Competition experiments:
Perform peptide competition with titrated amounts of blocking peptide
Observe dose-dependent signal reduction
Include irrelevant peptides as negative controls
This analytical approach is similar to methods used to distinguish between specific antibody responses in tuberculosis diagnosis, where multiple parameters are needed to discriminate between disease states .
Statistical analysis should be tailored to experimental design and data characteristics:
For comparative studies with control and treatment groups:
For time-series experiments:
For complex experimental designs:
Use mixed-effects models to account for random and fixed effects
Implement repeated measures designs for longitudinal studies
Apply multivariate analysis for co-expression with other proteins
These statistical approaches mirror those recommended for quasi-experimental studies in other fields , emphasizing the importance of matching analytical methods to study design.
Resolving contradictions between protein and transcript data requires systematic investigation:
Technical validation:
Verify antibody specificity with additional controls
Confirm transcript analysis with multiple primer sets
Repeat experiments with independent biological replicates
Biological mechanisms exploration:
Investigate post-transcriptional regulation (miRNAs, RNA stability)
Examine post-translational regulation (protein stability, degradation)
Consider compartmentalization effects (nuclear vs. cytoplasmic localization)
Integrative approaches:
Perform pulse-chase experiments to determine protein half-life
Use ribosome profiling to assess translation efficiency
Implement systems biology modeling to reconcile disparate data types