Angiopoietin-like Protein 5 (ANGPTL5) is a secreted glycoprotein belonging to the angiopoietin-like protein family. While less extensively characterized than some family members, research indicates ANGPTL5 plays roles in:
Triglyceride metabolism, with rare sequence variations associated with low plasma triglyceride levels
Potential roles in hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) regulation, particularly through interaction with inhibitory receptors like LILRB2
May function in signaling pathways involving calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases CAMKII and CAMKIV
Unlike some other ANGPTL family members, ANGPTL5 is not expressed in mice, making it unique among this protein family . Functionally, ANGPTL5 contains a fibrinogen-like domain and can be detected as a secreted protein in specific experimental conditions.
Research-grade ANGPTL5 antibodies are available in several formats with distinct properties:
When selecting an antibody, consider your experimental design. Monoclonal antibodies offer consistent reproducibility and specificity for a single epitope, while polyclonal preparations may provide higher sensitivity due to recognition of multiple epitopes. The clone 1B2 monoclonal antibody was raised against full-length recombinant ANGPTL5 protein with GST tag and has confirmed reactivity with human samples .
Proper storage and handling are critical for maintaining antibody functionality:
For monoclonal antibodies like the Anti-ANGPTL5 Mouse Monoclonal Antibody (clone 1B2):
Aliquot and store at -20°C or -80°C to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles
For frequent use, small working aliquots can be stored at 4°C for up to one month
For polyclonal preparations:
Many are supplied in PBS containing 50% glycerol and 0.02% sodium azide as preservatives
Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles as this can lead to protein denaturation and loss of activity
Researchers should validate antibody performance after extended storage by including appropriate positive and negative controls in their experiments.
When utilizing ANGPTL5 antibodies for Western blot analysis, the following methodological guidelines are recommended:
Standard Western Blot Protocol:
Sample Preparation:
Recommended Working Dilutions:
Detection System:
HRP-conjugated secondary antibody specific to host species (anti-mouse for monoclonal, anti-rabbit for polyclonal)
Enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) detection systems are suitable
Controls:
Positive control: Conditioned media from cells expressing recombinant ANGPTL5
Negative control: Lysates from cells known not to express ANGPTL5
Blocking peptide control: Pre-incubation with immunizing peptide should abolish specific signal
When analyzing expression in human samples, note that ANGPTL5 may be secreted and potentially processed, resulting in multiple bands. Validation using recombinant protein is strongly recommended before experimental applications.
Rigorous validation is essential for ensuring antibody specificity and avoiding misleading results:
Expression System Validation:
Knockdown/Knockout Validation:
Peptide Competition Assay:
Pre-incubate antibody with excess immunizing peptide to block specific binding sites
Signal reduction/elimination confirms epitope specificity
Multiple Antibody Concordance:
Compare detection patterns using antibodies targeting different epitopes
Consistency across antibodies increases confidence in specificity
Mass Spectrometry Validation:
For definitive validation, immunoprecipitate the target and confirm identity by mass spectrometry
When testing antibody specificity, researchers should be aware that sequence variations in ANGPTL5 exist, including rare mutations affecting protein secretion . These variations may affect antibody recognition depending on the epitope location.
ELISA optimization for ANGPTL5 detection requires careful consideration of several parameters:
Key Optimization Parameters:
Antibody Concentration:
Sample Preparation:
Buffer Optimization:
Blocking: 1-5% BSA or non-fat dry milk in PBS/TBS
Washing: PBS-Tween 0.05-0.1%
Sample diluent: May require addition of detergents to reduce background
Detection System:
Colorimetric (TMB substrate) offers broad utility
Chemiluminescent systems provide enhanced sensitivity for low-abundance detection
Incubation Parameters:
Coating: Overnight at 4°C for maximum binding
Antibody incubations: 1-2 hours at room temperature or overnight at 4°C
When developing ANGPTL5 ELISAs, researchers should consider that ANGPTL family proteins can exist in both monomeric and oligomeric forms, potentially affecting detection. Validation with recombinant protein is essential to establish assay linearity and dynamic range.
The interaction between ANGPTL5 and LILRB2 can be investigated using several antibody-dependent methodologies:
Co-Immunoprecipitation (Co-IP):
Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR):
Liquid-Phase Binding Assay:
Flow Cytometry-Based Binding Studies:
These techniques can be complemented with functional assays to assess the biological relevance of the interaction, such as examining the effect on hematopoietic stem cell expansion and calcium signaling pathways.
Analysis of ANGPTL5 variants requires integrating molecular and cellular techniques:
Expression Vector Construction:
Cellular Expression Analysis:
Pulse-Chase Analysis:
Label newly synthesized proteins with radioactive amino acids
Chase with non-radioactive medium
Immunoprecipitate at various timepoints to track protein fate
Can reveal whether variants affect protein stability or secretion kinetics
Structural Analysis:
Computational modeling of mutations using protein structure prediction
Correlation of structural changes with observed functional effects
A comparative table of previously studied ANGPTL5 variants illustrates how different mutations affect protein secretion:
| ANGPTL5 Variant | Effect on Secretion | Associated Phenotype |
|---|---|---|
| Wild-type | Normal secretion | Normal triglyceride levels |
| Several missense mutations in low-TG group | Abolished secretion | Low plasma TG levels |
| I233V | Normal secretion | High plasma TG levels |
| IVS8+1 (splice site) | Likely protein truncation | Low plasma TG levels |
This methodological approach allows researchers to classify variants as loss-of-function based on their effects on protein expression and secretion .
While the search results don't specifically address ANGPTL5 immunohistochemistry, researchers can apply standard practices with appropriate modifications:
Tissue Preparation Considerations:
Fixation: 10% neutral buffered formalin is standard
Antigen retrieval: Heat-induced epitope retrieval (citrate buffer pH 6.0 or EDTA buffer pH 9.0)
Blocking: Use serum from same species as secondary antibody
Antibody Selection and Optimization:
Begin with validated antibodies for Western blot applications
Perform dilution series (typically starting at 1:100-1:500)
Include positive control tissues (based on known expression patterns)
Consider both monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, as epitope accessibility may differ in fixed tissues
Expected Expression Patterns:
Human ANGPTL5 expression appears to be more restricted than other family members
Based on functional studies, expression in hematopoietic tissues is likely
Association with triglyceride metabolism suggests potential expression in liver or adipose tissue
Validation Approaches:
RNA expression correlation: Compare protein localization with mRNA expression data
Blocking peptide controls: Pre-absorb antibody with immunizing peptide
Multiple antibody concordance: Use antibodies against different epitopes
Researchers should note that ANGPTL5 is not expressed in mice , making the selection of positive control tissues important. Human tissues would be required for relevant expression studies.
Researchers may encounter several technical challenges when working with ANGPTL5:
Low Expression Levels:
Solution: Use more sensitive detection methods (chemiluminescent substrates for Western blot)
Consider sample enrichment through immunoprecipitation prior to detection
For cell culture experiments, use expression systems with strong promoters
Secretion and Processing Issues:
Challenge: ANGPTL5 is secreted and may undergo post-translational modifications
Solution: Analyze both cell lysates and conditioned media
Include positive controls of recombinant protein to identify expected molecular weight
Antibody Cross-Reactivity:
Protein Aggregation:
Challenge: ANGPTL proteins can form oligomers
Solution: Include reducing agents in sample buffer
Consider non-reducing conditions in parallel to assess oligomeric states
Variability in Glycosylation:
Challenge: Glycosylation patterns may affect antibody recognition
Solution: Consider enzymatic deglycosylation (PNGase F treatment) to improve detection consistency
Compare migration patterns before and after deglycosylation
Addressing these challenges requires systematic optimization and appropriate controls to ensure reliable and reproducible detection of ANGPTL5.
Discrepancies between protein and mRNA levels are common in biological systems and can be particularly relevant for secreted proteins like ANGPTL5:
Post-Transcriptional Regulation Mechanisms:
MicroRNA regulation: Investigate whether microRNAs target ANGPTL5 mRNA
mRNA stability differences: Measure mRNA half-life using actinomycin D chase experiments
Translational efficiency: Analyze polysome association of ANGPTL5 mRNA
Post-Translational Processing and Secretion:
Technical Considerations:
Antibody sensitivity: Validate detection limits with recombinant protein standards
Sampling timeframe: Consider temporal shifts between mRNA expression and protein accumulation
Sample preparation: Ensure protocols capture the relevant protein pool (membrane-bound, secreted, etc.)
Biological Interpretation Framework:
Tissue-specific regulation: Different tissues may employ distinct regulatory mechanisms
Physiological state influence: Consider whether metabolic conditions affect post-transcriptional regulation
Compare with other ANGPTL family members as reference points
When encountering such discrepancies, researchers should systematically evaluate each level of regulation rather than assuming technical error.
Investigating the functional relationship between ANGPTL5 and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) requires specialized methodologies:
Ex Vivo Expansion Assays:
Signaling Pathway Analysis:
Receptor Modulation Studies:
LILRB2 receptor has been identified as an ANGPTL5 binding partner
Use shRNA to suppress LILRB2 expression and assess effect on ANGPTL5 binding
Conduct competition assays with other ANGPTL family members
Previous studies showed LILRB2 silencing resulted in decreased repopulation of human cord blood HSCs
In Vivo Transplantation Assays:
This comprehensive approach integrates molecular, cellular, and in vivo techniques to determine the functional significance of ANGPTL5 in HSC biology.
Several cutting-edge approaches hold promise for advancing ANGPTL5 research:
Proximity Ligation Assays (PLA):
Allows visualization of protein-protein interactions in situ
Could be applied to study ANGPTL5-LILRB2 interactions in native cellular contexts
Provides spatial information about interaction sites within cells or tissues
Super-Resolution Microscopy:
Techniques like STORM or PALM provide nanoscale resolution
Can resolve subcellular localization of ANGPTL5 beyond conventional microscopy limits
Permits co-localization studies with potential interaction partners
Engineered Antibody Formats:
Single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) for improved tissue penetration
Bi-specific antibodies to simultaneously target ANGPTL5 and binding partners
Nanobodies derived from camelid antibodies for specialized applications
CRISPR-Cas9 Knock-in Reporter Systems:
Generate endogenous fluorescent protein fusions
Allows real-time tracking of ANGPTL5 expression and trafficking
Avoids overexpression artifacts associated with transfection
Single-Cell Proteomics:
Emerging technologies allow protein quantification at single-cell level
Could reveal heterogeneity in ANGPTL5 expression across populations
May identify previously unrecognized cell types producing or responding to ANGPTL5
These technological advances could overcome current limitations in studying low-abundance proteins like ANGPTL5 and provide new insights into its biological functions.
Comparative approaches offer valuable insights into specialized functions of ANGPTL5:
Evolutionary Analysis:
Structure-Function Relationships:
Expression Pattern Comparison:
Systematic analysis of tissue-specific expression across family members
Identification of shared versus unique regulatory pathways
Correlation with physiological processes and disease states
Receptor Binding Studies:
These comparative approaches can help position ANGPTL5 within the functional landscape of ANGPTL proteins and identify its unique properties versus shared family functions.