ATL1 Antibody, HRP conjugated consists of a polyclonal or monoclonal antibody specific to human ATL1, chemically linked to horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Key characteristics include:
ATL1 plays a role in ER membrane tethering and axonal development, with mutations linked to hereditary spastic paraplegia (SPG3A) .
This conjugate is validated for ELISA and immunoassays, with performance dependent on optimized buffer conditions and storage.
Direct ELISA: Detects ATL1 in human samples with high sensitivity (optimal dilution: 1:5000) .
Western Blot: Compatible with chemiluminescent substrates (e.g., Azure Radiance) .
Buffer Compatibility: Avoid Tris, BSA, or sodium azide, which inhibit HRP activity .
Sensitivity Enhancement: Lyophilization during conjugation increases HRP-to-antibody ratios, improving detection limits .
HRP conjugation involves periodate oxidation of enzyme carbohydrates, followed by antibody binding. A modified protocol with lyophilization improves stability and signal intensity :
| Step | Protocol |
|---|---|
| 1. Activation | HRP oxidized with sodium meta-periodate to generate aldehydes. |
| 2. Lyophilization | Freeze-drying concentrates activated HRP. |
| 3. Conjugation | Lyophilized HRP mixed with ATL1 antibody (1 mg/ml). |
| 4. Quenching | Reaction stopped with sodium borohydride. |
ATL1 antibody targets Atlastin-1 (also known as SPG3A), a GTPase that plays crucial roles in cellular membrane dynamics. Specifically, ATL1 functions in endoplasmic reticulum tubular network biogenesis through the formation of trans-homooligomers and mediates homotypic fusion of endoplasmic reticulum membranes. The protein may also regulate Golgi biogenesis and axonal development .
When selecting an ATL1 antibody for research applications, it's important to verify epitope specificity, as some antibodies are specifically designed not to cross-react with related family members ATL2 and ATL3 . For experimental design, consider that ATL1 is expressed predominantly in the central nervous system and has been implicated in hereditary spastic paraplegia, making it particularly relevant for neuroscience research applications.
HRP-conjugated antibodies offer several significant methodological advantages in research applications:
Direct detection capability eliminates the need for secondary antibody incubation, reducing experiment time and potential sources of variability
Signal amplification through enzymatic activity enables detection of low-abundance targets
Compatibility with multiple substrates (colorimetric, chemiluminescent, fluorescent) provides flexibility across experimental platforms
Reduced background noise in properly optimized systems
Enhanced sensitivity for detecting low levels of target protein
Research demonstrates that optimized HRP-antibody conjugates can detect antigens at concentrations as low as 1.5 ng in properly designed assays . This sensitivity makes HRP-conjugated antibodies particularly valuable for detecting proteins like ATL1 that may be expressed at modest levels in certain cell types or under specific conditions.
Proper storage is critical for maintaining both the antigen-binding capacity of the ATL1 antibody portion and the enzymatic activity of the HRP component. The recommended protocol includes:
Store at -20°C for long-term storage in small aliquots (typically 10-20 μL)
Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles that can denature both antibody and enzyme components
For working solutions, store at 4°C for no longer than 1-2 weeks
Include carrier proteins (e.g., 0.1-1% BSA) in storage buffers if not already in the formulation
Protect from light exposure, particularly if storing in clear tubes
Avoid oxidizing environments and contamination with heavy metals that can inactivate HRP
Implementing these measures will help prevent activity loss that commonly occurs through improper handling. Recombinant antibody-HRP conjugates may show enhanced stability compared to chemically conjugated versions due to their defined stoichiometry and structural consistency .
ATL1 antibody, HRP conjugated is particularly well-suited for several research applications:
Western blotting (WB): Provides direct detection of ATL1 protein (~63 kDa) without secondary antibody incubation. Optimize dilutions typically between 1:1000-1:5000 depending on protein abundance and conjugation quality.
Immunohistochemistry on paraffin sections (IHC-P): Enables visualization of ATL1 in fixed tissue sections. Critical considerations include antigen retrieval optimization and endogenous peroxidase blocking.
Immunocytochemistry/Immunofluorescence (ICC/IF): Allows subcellular localization studies, particularly valuable for examining ATL1's distribution in the endoplasmic reticulum network.
Flow cytometry (intracellular): Permits quantification of ATL1 expression across cell populations, though requires proper permeabilization protocols.
The choice of application should be guided by experimental objectives, with Western blotting often providing the most straightforward initial validation of antibody specificity before proceeding to more complex localization studies .
Rigorous experimental design requires appropriate controls to validate results obtained with ATL1 antibody, HRP conjugated:
Positive tissue control: Include brain or spinal cord tissue known to express ATL1 at detectable levels
Negative controls:
Tissues known not to express ATL1
ATL1 knockout or knockdown samples (when available)
Primary antibody omission control to assess background from detection system
Specificity controls:
Peptide competition/neutralization assay with immunizing peptide
Isotype control (same species and isotype with irrelevant specificity)
Cross-reactivity assessment with ATL2/ATL3 to confirm specificity
Technical controls:
Endogenous peroxidase blocking validation
System control (substrate only) to assess detection system background
Loading controls for Western blotting (β-actin, GAPDH, total protein stain)
Implementing these controls systematically enables confident interpretation of ATL1 detection patterns and strengthens the validity of research findings.
The conjugation process between HRP and antibodies significantly impacts assay performance through several mechanisms:
Conjugation chemistry: The most common approach uses periodate oxidation to generate aldehyde groups on HRP's carbohydrate moieties that react with primary amines on antibodies . This preserves antibody binding sites better than methods targeting amino acids directly involved in antigen recognition.
Enzyme-to-antibody ratio: Optimal ratios vary by application, with higher ratios increasing sensitivity but potentially reducing specificity if HRP sterically hinders antigen binding.
Enhanced methods: Lyophilization of activated HRP before conjugation significantly improves efficiency by concentrating reactants without changing their amounts, leading to conjugates effective at dilutions of 1:5000 versus only 1:25 for conventional methods .
Preservation of functional domains: Successful conjugation maintains both HRP enzymatic activity and antibody binding capacity, with recombinant approaches potentially offering advantages through defined attachment points .
Research demonstrates that lyophilization-enhanced conjugation can improve detection sensitivity up to 200-fold compared to classical methods, with conjugates capable of detecting antigens at concentrations as low as 1.5 ng .
Optimized Western blotting protocols for ATL1 antibody, HRP conjugated require attention to several key parameters:
Sample preparation:
Use RIPA or NP-40 lysis buffers with protease inhibitors
Include reducing agents in sample buffer to break disulfide bonds
Heat samples at 95°C for 5 minutes in Laemmli buffer
Electrophoresis and transfer:
Use 10% SDS-PAGE for optimal resolution of ATL1 (~63 kDa)
Transfer to PVDF membrane (more protein binding capacity than nitrocellulose)
Verify transfer efficiency with reversible protein stain before blocking
Blocking and antibody incubation:
Block with 5% non-fat dry milk in TBST (0.1% Tween-20)
Dilute ATL1 antibody, HRP conjugated 1:1000-1:5000 in blocking buffer
Incubate overnight at 4°C with gentle rocking
Wash extensively (5 × 5 minutes) with TBST
Detection optimization:
Select substrate based on expected abundance (standard ECL for moderate expression, enhanced chemiluminescence for low abundance)
For quantitative analysis, use digital imaging systems with linear dynamic range
Include molecular weight markers to confirm expected size
Troubleshooting high background:
Increase washing stringency (more washes, higher detergent concentration)
Further dilute antibody
Try alternative blocking reagents (BSA, commercial blockers)
Research on enhanced conjugation methods indicates significantly improved sensitivity, potentially allowing detection of low ATL1 expression levels that might be missed with conventional conjugates .
Successful immunohistochemistry with ATL1 antibody, HRP conjugated requires systematic optimization:
Tissue preparation considerations:
Fixation: 10% neutral buffered formalin for 24-48 hours optimal
Sectioning: 4-5 μm thickness recommended
Storage: freshly cut sections preferred over stored slides
Critical pretreatment steps:
Deparaffinization must be complete (extended xylene incubation if needed)
Antigen retrieval: Heat-induced epitope retrieval in citrate buffer (pH 6.0) typically most effective
Endogenous peroxidase blocking: 0.3% H₂O₂ in methanol for 30 minutes
Staining protocol optimization:
Blocking: 5-10% normal serum in PBS for 60 minutes
Primary antibody: Titrate ATL1 antibody, HRP conjugated (typically 1:50-1:200)
Incubation: Overnight at 4°C in humidified chamber
Washing: PBS with 0.05% Tween-20, 3 × 5 minutes
Detection refinement:
DAB development: Monitor microscopically to optimize signal-to-noise ratio
Counterstaining: Light hematoxylin counterstain to avoid obscuring specific signal
Controls: Include run-to-run standardization controls
Special considerations for ATL1:
Neural tissues require careful blocking of lipid-rich regions
Double staining with ER markers may help confirm specificity
Tyramide signal amplification can enhance detection in low-expression samples
This methodological approach enables reliable visualization of ATL1 in tissues while minimizing background and non-specific staining artifacts.
Lyophilization of activated HRP represents a significant methodological advancement for improving conjugation efficiency. The optimized protocol includes:
HRP activation process:
Dissolve HRP in distilled water (typically 4 mg/ml)
Add sodium meta-periodate (5-8 mM final concentration)
Incubate for 30 minutes at room temperature in the dark
Purify by gel filtration or dialysis to remove excess periodate
Lyophilization parameters:
Pre-freeze activated HRP solution at -80°C for 2 hours
Lyophilize at -40°C to -50°C under vacuum (typically 0.1 mbar)
Include cryoprotectants like 1% trehalose if stability is a concern
Store lyophilized activated HRP at -20°C
Conjugation with ATL1 antibody:
Reconstitute lyophilized HRP with minimal volume of carbonate buffer (pH 9.5)
Add ATL1 antibody at 1 mg/ml concentration
Maintain 1:4 to 1:6 molar ratio of antibody:HRP
Incubate 2-3 hours at room temperature
Add sodium borohydride to stabilize conjugate
Purification considerations:
Use size exclusion chromatography to separate conjugates from free HRP/antibody
Dialyze against PBS with preservatives
Confirm conjugation by spectrophotometric analysis
Research demonstrates this approach can improve detection sensitivity up to 200-fold compared to conventional methods, with conjugates remaining effective at dilutions of 1:5000 versus only 1:25 for standard conjugation protocols .
Discrepancies between protein detection using ATL1 antibody, HRP conjugated and corresponding mRNA data require systematic investigation:
Technical validation approaches:
Verify antibody specificity through Western blotting of recombinant ATL1
Confirm ATL1 knockdown reduces antibody signal proportionally
Test multiple antibodies against different ATL1 epitopes
Examine detection using alternative methods (IF vs. WB vs. IHC)
Biological explanations to investigate:
Post-transcriptional regulation (miRNAs targeting ATL1 mRNA)
Differences in protein vs. mRNA stability and turnover rates
Translational efficiency factors affecting protein synthesis
Post-translational modifications potentially masking antibody epitopes
Experimental design considerations:
Ensure temporal alignment between protein and mRNA sampling
Account for cell type heterogeneity in complex tissues
Consider subcellular compartmentalization affecting extraction efficiency
Evaluate mRNA splicing variants potentially not detected by antibody
Integrated analysis strategies:
Correlate protein and mRNA data across larger sample sets
Implement absolute quantification methods for both protein and mRNA
Consider proteogenomic approaches integrating mass spectrometry with RNA-seq
Examine patterns across developmental or disease progression timepoints
These methodological approaches help determine whether discrepancies represent technical artifacts or biologically meaningful regulatory mechanisms affecting ATL1 expression.
Substrate selection critically influences detection sensitivity and signal characteristics when using ATL1 antibody, HRP conjugated:
Colorimetric substrates:
DAB (3,3'-diaminobenzidine): Produces brown precipitate; most stable for archival samples but least sensitive
TMB (3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine): Produces blue color; higher sensitivity for ELISA but less stable
AEC (3-amino-9-ethylcarbazole): Produces red product; soluble in alcohol, requires aqueous mounting
Chemiluminescent substrates:
Standard ECL: Suitable for moderate ATL1 expression levels
Enhanced ECL (with phenols or luminol derivatives): 10-50× more sensitive
SuperSignal/Femto substrates: Highest sensitivity (200-1000× standard ECL)
Tyramide-based substrates:
Enable signal amplification through tyramide deposition
Permit fluorescent detection when coupled with appropriate fluorophores
Allow multiplexing with other targets after HRP inactivation
The table below summarizes relative sensitivities for detecting ATL1:
| Substrate Type | Relative Sensitivity | Signal Duration | Best Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAB | 1× (baseline) | Permanent | IHC for archival samples |
| TMB | 5-10× | Hours | ELISA for ATL1 quantification |
| Standard ECL | 10-50× | 5-60 minutes | Western blots with moderate expression |
| Enhanced ECL | 50-200× | 1-60 minutes | Low abundance ATL1 detection |
| SuperSignal | 200-1000× | Up to 8 hours | Trace ATL1 detection |
For ATL1 detection in tissues or cells with low expression levels, enhanced chemiluminescent or tyramide-based substrates provide optimal sensitivity .
Determining optimal dilution for ATL1 antibody, HRP conjugated requires systematic optimization:
Titration approach:
Prepare serial dilutions (1:50, 1:100, 1:500, 1:1000, 1:5000)
Test against samples with known ATL1 expression
Evaluate signal-to-noise ratio rather than absolute signal intensity
Select dilution providing specific signal with minimal background
Application-specific considerations:
Western blotting: Start with higher dilutions (1:1000-1:5000)
IHC/ICC: Begin with lower dilutions (1:50-1:200)
ELISA: Requires separate optimization for coating vs. detection
Optimization protocol:
Prepare master dilution series using identical buffer composition
Process all dilutions simultaneously under identical conditions
Include appropriate positive and negative controls
Document results quantitatively when possible
Special considerations for enhanced conjugates:
Lyophilization-enhanced HRP conjugates may remain effective at dilutions up to 1:5000
Conventional conjugates typically require more concentrated preparations (1:25-1:100)
Substrate choice influences optimal dilution significantly
Research demonstrates that optimized conjugation methods can dramatically improve antibody efficiency, with enhanced conjugates showing effective detection at 200× more dilute concentrations than conventional conjugates .
Non-specific binding can significantly impact experimental results with ATL1 antibody, HRP conjugated. A systematic troubleshooting approach includes:
Blocking optimization:
Test alternative blocking reagents (BSA, casein, commercial blockers)
Extend blocking time (2 hours at room temperature)
Include mild detergents (0.1-0.3% Triton X-100) for membrane permeabilization
Consider additives like 5% normal serum from the same species as tissue origin
Antibody dilution refinement:
Further dilute primary antibody (may require 2-5× higher dilution)
Prepare antibody in fresh blocking buffer containing 0.05% Tween-20
Consider overnight incubation at 4°C instead of shorter room temperature incubation
Pre-absorb antibody with tissue homogenates from species of interest
Washing protocol enhancement:
Increase wash buffer detergent concentration (0.1% Tween-20)
Extend washing times (5-6 washes at 5-10 minutes each)
Use higher salt concentration in wash buffer (up to 500 mM NaCl)
Consider adding 0.2M glycine (pH 2.5) wash to remove weakly bound antibodies
Sample-specific approaches:
For tissues with high endogenous peroxidase, double peroxidase quenching step
For tissues with biotin content, implement avidin-biotin blocking
For highly autofluorescent samples, use Sudan Black B treatment
Consider antigen retrieval modification if epitope accessibility is suspected
These methodological refinements can significantly improve signal-to-noise ratio and ensure that observed signals accurately represent ATL1 distribution .
Multiplexing with ATL1 antibody, HRP conjugated requires careful experimental design to avoid signal interference:
Sequential detection strategies:
Complete first HRP detection cycle with substrate development
Inactivate HRP using 0.3% hydrogen peroxide (10-15 minutes)
Apply heat treatment (microwave: 10 minutes in citrate buffer) to strip antibodies
Verify complete inactivation/stripping with substrate-only control
Proceed with second antibody-HRP conjugate detection
Tyramide signal amplification (TSA) approach:
Use dilute ATL1 antibody, HRP conjugated with fluorescent tyramide substrate
Permanent signal deposition allows complete HRP inactivation
Apply second HRP-conjugated antibody targeting different protein
Use different fluorophore-labeled tyramide for second target
Capture separate fluorescence channels without signal overlap
Complementary detection systems:
Combine HRP-conjugated ATL1 antibody with alkaline phosphatase-conjugated antibodies
Use chromogenic substrates with distinct colors (brown DAB for ATL1, red Fast Red for second target)
For fluorescence, combine HRP-TSA system with directly labeled fluorescent antibodies
Advanced considerations:
Include comprehensive controls for each target individually
Account for potential epitope masking in dense target regions
Consider target abundance differences when designing sequential detection
Implement spectral unmixing for fluorescent multiplexing applications
These methodological approaches enable simultaneous visualization of ATL1 with other proteins of interest, particularly valuable for co-localization studies with other ER-associated proteins or interaction partners.
Proper normalization is essential for reliable quantitative analysis of ATL1 expression:
Western blot densitometry normalization:
To housekeeping proteins: Calculate ATL1 signal relative to β-actin, GAPDH, or tubulin
To total protein: Use Ponceau S, SYPRO Ruby, or stain-free technology for loading control
Correction method: Divide ATL1 band intensity by normalization control intensity
Data presentation: Report as fold-change relative to control condition
Immunohistochemistry quantification methods:
H-score approach: Multiply percentage of positive cells by staining intensity (0-3)
Automated image analysis: Measure DAB optical density and normalize to tissue area
Cell counting method: Calculate percentage of ATL1-positive cells per field
Relative intensity measurement: Compare target region to internal reference region
ELISA data normalization:
Standard curve method: Use recombinant ATL1 protein standards
Curve fitting: Apply 4-parameter logistic regression for accurate interpolation
Plate normalization: Include control sample across multiple plates
Dilution normalization: Account for any sample dilution factors
Statistical processing:
Apply appropriate tests based on data distribution (parametric vs. non-parametric)
Account for technical and biological replicates in statistical model
Report variability consistently (standard deviation or standard error)
Provide complete information on sample size and statistical methodology
Enhanced conjugation methods, such as those using lyophilization, can improve detection sensitivity to as low as 1.5 ng of antigen, enabling more accurate quantification of ATL1 across a wider dynamic range .
Cross-species application of ATL1 antibody, HRP conjugated requires careful consideration of several limitations:
Epitope conservation issues:
Human ATL1 shares approximately 94% amino acid identity with mouse and 93% with rat
Specific epitope regions may have lower conservation
Antibodies raised against human ATL1 may show variable cross-reactivity
Terminal regions typically show lower conservation than functional domains
Validation requirements for cross-species use:
Western blotting should confirm single band of expected molecular weight
Positive controls from target species are essential
Consider using knockout/knockdown models as negative controls
Peptide competition assays with species-specific peptides provide additional validation
Technical adjustments for non-target species:
Higher antibody concentrations typically required (2-5× higher)
Modified blocking buffers may be necessary (species-matched serum)
Extended incubation times often improve signal detection
Antigen retrieval optimization is particularly important for cross-species IHC
Alternative approaches when cross-reactivity is insufficient:
Use unconjugated primary antibody with species-specific HRP-secondary antibody
Consider custom antibody generation against conserved epitopes
Utilize recombinant expression systems with tagged ATL1 from species of interest
Implement genetic models with reporter-tagged endogenous ATL1
These methodological considerations ensure appropriate interpretation of cross-species data and prevent misattribution of signals when working with ATL1 antibody, HRP conjugated in non-human models.
ATL1 (Atlastin-1) primarily localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum, but variations in staining patterns require careful interpretation:
These methodological approaches ensure that observed variations in ATL1 localization are biologically meaningful rather than technical artifacts, particularly important when studying potential pathological changes in ATL1 distribution in disease models.
Selection of appropriate statistical methods for ATL1 expression analysis depends on experimental design and data characteristics:
For two-group comparisons:
Student's t-test for normally distributed data with equal variances
Welch's t-test for normally distributed data with unequal variances
Mann-Whitney U test for non-parametric comparison of ranks
Paired t-test for matched sample designs
For multiple group comparisons:
One-way ANOVA with post-hoc tests (Tukey or Bonferroni) for normally distributed data
Kruskal-Wallis with Dunn's post-test for non-parametric multiple comparisons
Two-way ANOVA for experiments with two independent variables
Mixed models for repeated measures with missing data points
For correlation analysis:
Pearson correlation for linear relationships between normally distributed variables
Spearman rank correlation for non-parametric or non-linear relationships
Multiple regression for identifying predictive variables of ATL1 expression
Hierarchical clustering to identify patterns across multiple markers
Advanced considerations for ATL1 studies:
Account for technical variation through nested designs
Consider weighted analysis if variance is heterogeneous
Implement multiple comparison correction for large-scale studies
Use bootstrapping approaches for small sample sizes
Statistical significance in ATL1 expression studies is typically set at p < 0.05, though more stringent thresholds may be appropriate for exploratory or large-scale analyses to control false discovery rates.
Maximizing signal-to-noise ratio is critical for detecting specific ATL1 signals above background:
Western blotting optimization:
Use PVDF membranes for higher protein binding capacity
Implement gradient SDS-PAGE for better separation near ATL1's molecular weight
Optimize transfer conditions (time, buffer composition, voltage)
Use milk-based blocking rather than BSA for HRP systems
Apply optimized washing protocols (increased number and duration)
IHC/ICC signal enhancement:
Test multiple antigen retrieval methods systematically
Implement dual endogenous peroxidase blocking steps
Use signal amplification systems for low abundance targets
Optimize primary antibody concentration through titration
Apply polymer detection systems for enhanced sensitivity
ELISA optimization:
Use high-binding microplates for maximum protein capture
Implement optimized blocking to prevent non-specific binding
Consider kinetic reading to determine optimal signal collection time
Use reference standards on each plate for inter-assay normalization
Apply optimal substrate development times based on positive controls
General principles for improved signal-to-noise:
Increase antibody incubation time while decreasing concentration
Optimize detergent concentration in wash buffers
Use fresh reagents, particularly substrates
Include appropriate negative controls for background assessment
Consider signal amplification methods for low-expression samples
Research on enhanced conjugation methods demonstrates that lyophilization-enhanced HRP-antibody conjugates can provide significantly improved signal-to-noise ratios, potentially detecting antigen at concentrations as low as 1.5 ng with minimal background .