The At5g47030 antibody specifically binds to the nuclear-encoded δ-subunit (AT5G47030 gene product) of mitochondrial ATP synthase in Arabidopsis thaliana and other plant species . This subunit is part of the F₀-F₁ ATP synthase complex, which catalyzes ATP production during oxidative phosphorylation.
Key features of the antibody:
Immunogen: A 14-amino-acid synthetic peptide from the central region of the δ-subunit .
Reactivity: Cross-reacts with homologs in Solanum lycopersicum (tomato), Brassica napus (rapeseed), Populus trichocarpa (poplar), and Triticum aestivum (wheat) .
Molecular weight: Detects a ~22 kDa protein band in immunoblots .
The δ-subunit is critical for ATP synthase assembly and function. Research highlights include:
Used to confirm mitochondrial localization of ATP synthase subunits via immunoblotting .
Detects δ-subunit abundance changes during temperature stress (e.g., 4°C vs. 25°C) .
Validates RNA interference (RNAi) knockdown lines: ATP synthase activity in δ-subunit-deficient plants drops to 10–25% of wild-type levels .
Links δ-subunit levels to mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) and ATP production efficiency .
Identifies δ-subunit orthologs in crops like tomato and wheat, aiding studies on ATP synthase evolution .
Cross-reactivity: Non-specific bands may appear in immunoblots unless purified mitochondria are used .
Stress-dependent variability: δ-subunit expression fluctuates under abiotic stress, requiring careful normalization .
Recent work suggests the δ-subunit could be engineered to enhance crop resilience to temperature extremes . Further studies are needed to explore its interactions with other ATP synthase subunits (e.g., α, β) and regulatory proteins.
At5g47030 is a gene locus in Arabidopsis thaliana that encodes a subunit of the ATP synthase complex, a critical component of the oxidative phosphorylation machinery in plant mitochondria. ATP synthase functions as the powerhouse enzyme that couples the electrochemical proton gradient (ΔμH+) across the inner mitochondrial membrane to the synthesis of ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate (Pi). The protein plays an essential role in energy metabolism, particularly during stress responses such as cold acclimation. Research indicates that ATP synthase activity is significantly affected by temperature changes, potentially functioning as a respiratory bottleneck during chilling stress .
Antibodies against the At5g47030 protein are typically polyclonal or monoclonal immunoglobulins designed to recognize specific epitopes of this ATP synthase subunit. High-quality antibodies exhibit several essential characteristics:
High specificity for the target protein with minimal cross-reactivity
Appropriate sensitivity for detection in various experimental conditions
Consistent performance across different batches
Validated functionality in multiple applications (Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, immunohistochemistry, etc.)
Researchers should verify these characteristics through validation experiments using positive and negative controls, including ATP synthase knockdown lines if available .
Verifying antibody specificity requires multiple complementary approaches:
Western blot analysis comparing wild-type Arabidopsis samples with those of ATP synthase knockdown lines (such as dexamethasone-inducible RNAi lines targeting ATP synthase subunits)
Peptide competition assays where the antibody is pre-incubated with the immunizing peptide
Cross-reactivity testing against different plant species and tissues
Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry to confirm target identity
Use of multiple antibodies targeting different epitopes of the same protein
Significant differences in protein detection between wild-type and knockdown samples, particularly after treatments that alter ATP synthase expression (such as cold acclimation), provide strong evidence for antibody specificity .
For optimal Western blot analysis using the At5g47030 antibody:
Sample preparation:
Extract mitochondria using established differential centrifugation methods
Resuspend isolated mitochondria in appropriate buffer (e.g., 0.3 M sucrose, 10 mM TES, 2 mM EDTA)
Determine protein concentration using Bradford or BCA assay
Denature samples with SDS loading buffer at 95°C for 5 minutes
Gel electrophoresis and transfer:
Separate proteins on 12-15% SDS-PAGE gels
Transfer to PVDF or nitrocellulose membranes at 100V for 1 hour
Immunoblotting:
Block membrane with 5% non-fat milk in TBS-T for 1 hour
Incubate with primary At5g47030 antibody (1:1000-1:5000 dilution) overnight at 4°C
Wash 3× with TBS-T
Incubate with HRP-conjugated secondary antibody (1:10,000) for 1 hour
Develop using ECL (enhanced chemiluminescence) detection
For quantitative analysis, consider using selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mass spectrometry as performed for ATP synthase subunits in the referenced research .
To effectively study ATP synthase abundance changes during stress responses:
Experimental design:
Subject plants to controlled stress conditions (e.g., cold acclimation at 4°C for 1-7 days)
Include time-course sampling points (e.g., 0, 1, 3, 5, 7 days)
Maintain appropriate controls (warm-grown plants)
Sample processing:
Isolate mitochondria from each condition using density gradient centrifugation
Ensure equal protein loading across samples
Quantitative analysis:
Perform Western blots with the At5g47030 antibody
Use digital imaging for densitometry analysis
Normalize to appropriate loading controls (e.g., porin, VDAC)
Consider complementary approaches such as SRM mass spectrometry
Data interpretation:
Compare relative abundance across conditions
Correlate with functional measurements (respiratory rates, ATP synthesis)
This approach has been successfully used to demonstrate differential responses of ATP synthase subunits during cold acclimation and cold shock conditions .
For effective immunolocalization of At5g47030 in plant tissues:
Tissue preparation:
Fix plant material in 4% paraformaldehyde in PBS
Embed in paraffin or prepare for cryo-sectioning
Cut 5-10 μm sections and mount on coated slides
Immunostaining protocol:
Deparaffinize and rehydrate sections
Perform antigen retrieval (if necessary)
Block with 5% BSA in PBS for 1 hour
Incubate with At5g47030 antibody (1:100-1:500) overnight at 4°C
Wash 3× with PBS
Apply fluorescent secondary antibody (1:500) for 2 hours
Counterstain with DAPI for nuclear visualization
Mount with anti-fade medium
Mitochondrial co-localization:
Include mitochondrial markers (e.g., COX antibodies)
Use appropriate fluorophore combinations for multi-channel imaging
Controls:
Include secondary-only controls
Use tissues from ATP synthase knockdown lines as negative controls
Perform peptide competition controls
Confocal microscopy is recommended for optimal visualization of mitochondrial localization patterns.
| Issue | Possible Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| No signal in Western blot | - Insufficient protein amount - Antibody degradation - Inefficient transfer - Improper dilution | - Increase protein loading (25-50 μg) - Use fresh antibody aliquots - Verify transfer with Ponceau staining - Optimize antibody concentration |
| Multiple bands | - Cross-reactivity - Protein degradation - Post-translational modifications | - Increase blocking time/concentration - Add protease inhibitors - Verify with different antibody - Use knockout/knockdown controls |
| High background | - Insufficient blocking - Excessive antibody - Contaminated buffers | - Increase blocking time - Reduce antibody concentration - Prepare fresh buffers - Increase washing steps |
| Variable results between experiments | - Inconsistent sample preparation - Antibody batch variation - Environmental factors | - Standardize isolation protocols - Use internal controls - Test new antibody batches against reference samples |
For temperature-sensitive applications, note that ATP synthase activity varies significantly with temperature (Q10 values ~2.0), which may affect antibody binding efficiency in certain applications .
For optimal antibody stability and performance:
Storage conditions:
Store antibody aliquots at -20°C for long-term storage
Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles (limit to <5)
For working solutions, store at 4°C for up to 2 weeks
Handling recommendations:
Centrifuge vials briefly before opening
Prepare working dilutions immediately before use
Add preservatives (0.02% sodium azide) for solutions stored at 4°C
Keep on ice during experimental procedures
Quality control:
Document lot numbers and expiration dates
Periodically test against reference samples
Store small aliquots of positive control samples at -80°C
Following these practices will help maintain antibody specificity and sensitivity, ensuring reproducible results across experiments.
Investigating ATP synthase coupling efficiency during stress requires combining antibody-based quantification with functional assays:
Experimental approach:
Isolate intact mitochondria from plants under various stress conditions
Maintain sample integrity to prevent uncoupling
Use parallel samples for protein quantification and functional assays
Functional measurements:
Measure ATP/O ratios at different temperatures
Determine membrane potential (ΔΨm) using fluorescent dyes (e.g., TMRM)
Assess respiration rates in different states (State 3, State 4)
Calculate respiratory control ratios (RCRs)
Protein analysis:
Quantify At5g47030 and other ATP synthase subunits using the antibody
Correlate subunit abundance with functional parameters
Analyze post-translational modifications that may affect coupling
Data integration:
Plot respiratory capacity against ATP synthase abundance
Determine temperature coefficients (Q10) for enzyme activities
Create mathematical models of ATP synthase efficiency under stress
This integrated approach can reveal how changes in ATP synthase composition affect its function as a potential respiratory bottleneck during environmental stress .
Several sophisticated approaches can be employed to study protein-protein interactions:
Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP):
Use At5g47030 antibody for pull-down experiments
Analyze co-precipitated proteins by mass spectrometry
Verify interactions with reciprocal Co-IP experiments
Proximity labeling approaches:
Express BioID or APEX2 fusions of At5g47030
Identify proximal proteins through biotinylation
Confirm interactions using the At5g47030 antibody
Blue Native PAGE:
Separate native protein complexes
Perform second-dimension SDS-PAGE
Detect At5g47030 and interacting partners with specific antibodies
Fluorescence microscopy techniques:
Implement FRET or BiFC to visualize interactions in vivo
Use the At5g47030 antibody to validate expression
Perform co-localization studies with other mitochondrial proteins
Cross-linking mass spectrometry:
Apply protein cross-linkers to stabilize transient interactions
Enrich for At5g47030-containing complexes using the antibody
Identify cross-linked peptides by specialized mass spectrometry
These methods can reveal how At5g47030 interacts with other ATP synthase subunits and potentially with regulatory proteins during stress responses .
To investigate mitochondrial membrane composition changes during temperature stress:
Isolation of mitochondria and membrane fractions:
Extract mitochondria from plants subjected to different temperature treatments
Separate inner and outer membranes using established fractionation techniques
Verify fraction purity using marker proteins
Protein-lipid association analysis:
Perform lipidomic analysis of mitochondrial membranes
Use the At5g47030 antibody to localize the protein within membrane fractions
Employ detergent resistance assays to identify lipid raft associations
Correlation of protein distribution with membrane properties:
Measure membrane fluidity at different temperatures
Quantify cardiolipin and other mitochondria-specific lipids
Correlate At5g47030 distribution with changes in specific lipid classes
Functional implications:
Assess ATP synthase activity in relation to membrane composition
Measure proton leak across membranes with different compositions
Determine how lipid environment affects protein stability and function
Research has shown significant changes in mitochondrial lipid composition during cold acclimation, which may directly affect ATP synthase function and stability .
For comprehensive analysis of post-translational modifications (PTMs):
PTM-specific antibody approaches:
Use general PTM antibodies (phospho-, acetyl-, etc.) after At5g47030 immunoprecipitation
Develop modification-specific antibodies for known PTM sites
Perform Western blots under conditions that preserve labile modifications
Mass spectrometry-based strategies:
Immunoprecipitate At5g47030 using the specific antibody
Digest with appropriate proteases (trypsin, chymotrypsin, etc.)
Analyze PTMs using high-resolution mass spectrometry
Quantify modification stoichiometry with targeted methods
Functional correlation:
Compare PTM profiles between different stress conditions
Correlate modifications with ATP synthase activity measurements
Generate site-directed mutants to assess PTM significance
Temporal dynamics:
Track modification changes during stress imposition and recovery
Correlate with known signaling pathways activated during stress
PTMs may play crucial roles in regulating ATP synthase activity during temperature shifts, particularly affecting its sensitivity to inhibitors and coupling efficiency .
To investigate genetic variation in At5g47030 across ecotypes:
Sample collection and preparation:
Obtain diverse Arabidopsis ecotypes (e.g., Col-0, T1110, etc.)
Grow under identical conditions to minimize environmental effects
Isolate mitochondria using consistent protocols
Antibody-based analysis:
Perform Western blots to compare protein abundance across ecotypes
Assess epitope conservation through signal intensity comparison
Combine with mass spectrometry for deeper sequence analysis
Functional characterization:
Measure ATP synthase activity in different ecotypes
Determine temperature response curves (Q10 values)
Assess respiratory parameters (State 3, State 4, RCR)
Data integration:
Correlate protein variations with functional differences
Link to known SNPs in the At5g47030 gene
Develop predictive models for structure-function relationships
This approach has been successful in identifying ecotypes with differential responses to temperature stress, such as the T1110 ecotype which shows higher uncoupled respiration rates at 4°C compared to Col-0 .
Proper statistical analysis of antibody-based quantification requires:
Experimental design considerations:
Include sufficient biological replicates (minimum n=3)
Plan for appropriate technical replicates
Incorporate randomization and blinding where possible
Data normalization approaches:
Normalize to loading controls (VDAC, porin)
Consider total protein normalization (Ponceau, SYPRO Ruby)
Apply appropriate transformations for non-normal data
Statistical tests for different scenarios:
For comparing two conditions: t-test or non-parametric equivalent
For multiple conditions: ANOVA with appropriate post-hoc tests
For complex designs: mixed-effects models accounting for random factors
Advanced multivariate methods:
Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for pattern recognition
Hierarchical clustering for sample relationship visualization
Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) for group separation
Visualization best practices:
Display individual data points alongside means
Use error bars representing standard error of the mean (SEM)
Create heatmaps for visualizing complex relationships
Implementing these robust statistical approaches will enhance the reliability and reproducibility of At5g47030 antibody-based research findings .
Integrating antibody-based quantification with respiratory measurements enables development of predictive models:
Data collection strategy:
Measure multiple parameters on parallel samples:
At5g47030 abundance (antibody-based)
Respiratory rates (O2 consumption)
Membrane potential (fluorescent probes)
ATP production rates
ROS production
Include time-course measurements during stress imposition and recovery
Data integration approaches:
Calculate correlation matrices between all parameters
Develop mathematical models of respiratory control
Apply machine learning algorithms to identify predictive patterns
Model validation:
Test predictions on new stress conditions or genetic variants
Perform sensitivity analysis to identify critical parameters
Validate key relationships with genetic manipulation (e.g., ATP synthase knockdown lines)
Practical applications:
Predict responses to novel stress combinations
Identify potential intervention points for improving stress tolerance
Guide breeding efforts for stress-resistant varieties
Emerging technologies enable unprecedented resolution in studying mitochondrial heterogeneity:
Single-cell proteomics approaches:
Use antibody-based flow cytometry of isolated mitochondria
Implement microfluidic sorting of mitochondrial populations
Apply single-cell Western blotting techniques
Develop CITE-seq approaches for mitochondrial proteins
Super-resolution microscopy applications:
Employ STORM or PALM imaging with labeled At5g47030 antibodies
Perform correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM)
Implement expansion microscopy for improved spatial resolution
Track dynamic changes in ATP synthase distribution during stress
Mitochondrial sub-compartment analysis:
Study ATP synthase localization in cristae vs. boundary membranes
Investigate protein-lipid domains within mitochondrial membranes
Examine co-localization with other respiratory complexes
Heterogeneity assessment:
Quantify variation in At5g47030 abundance between individual mitochondria
Correlate with functional parameters (membrane potential, ROS production)
Track changes in heterogeneity during stress responses
These approaches can reveal previously unappreciated diversity in mitochondrial populations and their differential responses to environmental challenges .
Development of next-generation antibody tools requires careful consideration:
Epitope selection strategies:
Target conserved regions for cross-species applications
Identify accessible epitopes based on structural information
Consider generating antibodies against post-translationally modified sites
Design epitopes that distinguish between highly similar ATP synthase isoforms
New antibody formats:
Develop single-domain antibodies (nanobodies) for improved penetration
Create recombinant antibody fragments with enhanced stability
Engineer bifunctional antibodies for proximity labeling applications
Produce conformation-specific antibodies to detect functional states
Validation requirements:
Implement multiplexed validation using orthogonal methods
Test in multiple species if cross-reactivity is desired
Validate in knockout/knockdown models
Assess specificity across diverse experimental conditions
Application optimization:
Develop antibodies optimized for specific applications (ChIP, IP-MS, etc.)
Create tagged antibodies for direct detection without secondary antibodies
Develop antibody pairs for proximity ligation assays
These considerations will guide the development of more specific, sensitive, and versatile tools for studying ATP synthase biology in plants .