The BASS2 antibody, also known as POGK antibody, is an immunoglobulin designed to target the POGK protein, which is synonymous with BASS2, KIAA1513, KIAA15131, and LST003. This antibody is typically produced in rabbits and is used in various biochemical assays such as Western blotting and ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) to detect the presence of the POGK protein in biological samples .
Antibodies, including the BASS2 antibody, are Y-shaped molecules composed of two heavy chains and two light chains. They have a variable region at the tips of the Y, which binds to specific antigens, and a constant region that determines their effector functions . The variable region contains hypervariable loops known as Complementarity Determining Regions (CDRs), which are crucial for antigen recognition .
The BASS2 antibody is primarily used in research settings for detecting and studying the POGK protein. It can be applied in various techniques such as:
Western Blotting: To identify the presence and size of the POGK protein in cell extracts.
ELISA: For quantitative analysis of the POGK protein in samples.
Immunofluorescence: To visualize the localization of POGK within cells.
| Antibody Fragment | Description | Molecular Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Fab Fragment | Contains antigen-binding site, monovalent | Approximately 50 kDa |
| F(ab')2 Fragment | Contains both antigen-binding sites, divalent | Approximately 110 kDa |
| Fc Fragment | Determines effector functions, no antigen binding | Variable, depending on antibody type |
The widespread importance of sodium-coupled pyruvate import into plastids is underscored by the presence of BASS2 orthologs in all characterized land plant genomes.1
BASS2 (also known as POGK, KIAA1513, KIAA15131, LST003, or SLTP003) is a protein characterized as a "Pogo transposable element with KRAB domain" . The KRAB (Krüppel-associated box) domain typically functions in transcriptional repression. While complete functional characterization is still evolving, research indicates its relevance in cell biology processes . When investigating POGK, researchers should employ cellular fractionation followed by Western blotting to confirm its predominantly nuclear localization, consistent with its presumed role in transcriptional regulation. Knockdown studies using siRNA or CRISPR-Cas9 can help elucidate its specific regulatory functions in your experimental system.
Current research tools include polyclonal antibodies raised against recombinant human POGK protein fragments (amino acids 101-400) . Available formats include biotin-conjugated antibodies optimized for ELISA applications . When selecting an antibody for your research:
Consider epitope accessibility in your experimental conditions
Evaluate how the conjugation (e.g., biotin) complements your detection methods
Review validation data for your specific application
Confirm species reactivity matches your experimental model
Assess purification method (e.g., Protein G purified antibodies typically offer >95% purity)
For applications beyond ELISA, additional validation may be required to confirm specificity in immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, or immunofluorescence contexts.
Optimal performance of BASS2/POGK antibodies depends on proper handling. These antibodies are typically supplied in a buffer containing 50% glycerol, 0.01M PBS (pH 7.4), and 0.03% Proclin 300 as a preservative . For storage:
Upon receipt, store at -20°C or -80°C to maintain activity
Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles by preparing working aliquots
For short-term use, antibodies can be stored at 4°C for up to one week
When diluting working solutions, use buffers with neutral pH (7.2-7.4)
Monitor performance periodically with positive controls
Deviations in buffer composition or storage temperatures can lead to degradation, aggregation, or loss of specificity, compromising experimental results.
When utilizing BASS2/POGK antibodies in ELISA applications, consider the following protocol optimization steps:
Plate coating: Use purified POGK protein or cellular lysates at 1-10 μg/ml in carbonate buffer (pH 9.6)
Blocking: Apply 3-5% BSA in PBS for 1-2 hours at room temperature
Primary antibody: Dilute the biotin-conjugated BASS2/POGK antibody (typically 1:500-1:2000) in 1% BSA/PBS-T
Detection: Employ streptavidin-HRP (1:10,000-1:20,000 dilution) followed by TMB substrate
Signal development: Allow 5-15 minutes color development before stopping with 2N H₂SO₄
Perform titration experiments to determine the optimal antibody concentration
Always include positive controls (lysates from cells known to express POGK) and negative controls (buffer only and irrelevant protein) to validate assay performance.
Rigorous validation ensures reliable data interpretation. Implement the following validation strategies:
| Validation Method | Procedure | Expected Outcome | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western blotting | Run protein lysates, transfer, probe with anti-POGK | Single band at expected MW (~70-75 kDa) | May miss interactions in native conformation |
| Knockdown/knockout controls | Compare signals between wild-type and POGK-depleted samples | Reduced/absent signal in depleted samples | Requires additional genetic manipulation |
| Overexpression controls | Test samples with transient POGK overexpression | Enhanced signal intensity | Potential artifacts from non-physiological levels |
| Peptide competition | Pre-incubate antibody with immunizing peptide | Blocked specific binding | Requires access to original immunogen |
| Cross-reactivity testing | Test across relevant species | Signal corresponding to conservation level | Limited by evolutionary conservation |
| IP-MS validation | Immunoprecipitate and identify by mass spectrometry | POGK identification in precipitated material | Technically demanding |
| The gold standard combines multiple approaches, particularly knockout/knockdown validation with secondary confirmation through an orthogonal method. |
When performing immunoprecipitation with BASS2/POGK antibodies, include these critical controls:
Input control: Reserve 5-10% of pre-IP lysate to confirm target protein presence
Negative control: Use matched isotype IgG from the same species as the POGK antibody
Beads-only control: Process sample with beads but no antibody to identify non-specific binding
Positive control: If available, include a sample with confirmed POGK expression
For biotin-conjugated antibodies, include streptavidin-only control to account for endogenous biotinylated proteins
These controls help distinguish specific interactions from background and validate co-immunoprecipitation findings when investigating POGK-associated protein complexes.
When troubleshooting Western blot experiments with BASS2/POGK antibodies:
For weak or absent signal:
Confirm POGK expression in your experimental system using reference datasets
Optimize protein extraction with nuclear lysis buffers containing protease inhibitors
Test multiple blocking agents (5% milk vs. 5% BSA)
Extend primary antibody incubation (overnight at 4°C)
Verify transfer efficiency with reversible total protein stain
For multiple bands or high background:
Increase washing stringency (0.1% Tween-20, longer wash times)
Optimize antibody dilution (typically 1:500-1:2000)
Pre-adsorb antibody with cell lysate from non-expressing cells
Use freshly prepared buffers
Consider different membrane types (PVDF vs. nitrocellulose)
Maintaining consistent experimental conditions across replicates enhances reproducibility and facilitates accurate interpretation of changes in POGK expression or modification.
For robust immunofluorescence detection of POGK:
Managing antibody variability requires systematic approaches:
Standardized validation protocol:
Test each new lot alongside previous lot using identical samples and conditions
Document comparative sensitivity and specificity metrics
Maintain reference samples for quality control testing
Calibration strategy:
Determine optimal working concentration for each new lot
Generate standard curves if quantitative comparisons are needed
Document lot-specific performance characteristics
Experimental design considerations:
Complete critical experimental series with a single antibody lot when possible
Include internal normalization controls in each experiment
When comparing data across lots, include overlapping samples for calibration
For longitudinal studies, consider purchasing sufficient antibody from a single lot or develop lot-bridging strategies to account for variability in quantitative analyses.
Given POGK's KRAB domain and presumed role in transcriptional regulation, ChIP-seq provides valuable insights into its genomic targets:
Sample preparation:
Crosslink protein-DNA complexes with 1% formaldehyde (10 minutes at room temperature)
Quench with 125mM glycine (5 minutes)
Lyse cells and isolate nuclei before sonication to 200-500bp fragments
Confirm fragmentation efficiency by agarose gel electrophoresis
Immunoprecipitation optimization:
Test multiple antibody concentrations (2-10μg per reaction)
Include IgG control and input samples
Optimize wash stringency to reduce background while maintaining specific binding
Elute and reverse crosslinks (65°C overnight)
Library preparation and sequencing:
Purify DNA using spin columns or magnetic beads
Prepare libraries following platform-specific protocols
Include spike-in controls for normalization
Sequence to minimum 20 million uniquely mapped reads per sample
Bioinformatic analysis:
Identify enriched regions using peak-calling algorithms (MACS2)
Perform motif discovery to identify POGK binding sequences
Integrate with RNA-seq data to correlate binding with gene expression
Conduct pathway analysis of target genes
This approach can reveal POGK's role in transcriptional networks and potential co-regulatory factors.
Drawing from bispecific antibody engineering principles , researchers investigating POGK interactions might consider:
Format selection based on research objectives:
Linker optimization:
Developability assessment:
Validation strategy:
Confirm dual binding capacity
Verify that bispecific binding provides advantages over mixing individual antibodies
Test for potential steric hindrance between binding domains
Bispecific approaches could enable novel investigation of POGK's interactions with chromatin modifiers or other transcriptional machinery.
Integrating POGK detection into single-cell analyses offers insights into cell-to-cell variability:
Mass cytometry (CyTOF) integration:
Conjugate POGK antibodies with rare earth metals
Optimize permeabilization for nuclear antigen access
Design panels incorporating markers of cell state, lineage, and relevant signaling pathways
Analyze data using dimensionality reduction techniques (t-SNE, UMAP)
Single-cell spatial analysis:
Implement multiplexed immunofluorescence with cyclic staining or spectral unmixing
Combine with RNA-FISH for simultaneous protein and transcript detection
Use computational neighborhood analysis to identify spatial relationships
Correlate POGK distribution with cellular phenotypes
Microfluidic approaches:
Adapt protocols for microfluidic-based single-cell Western blotting
Optimize antibody concentrations for reduced volumes
Implement calibrated quantification strategies
Correlate with other single-cell proteomic measurements
These approaches can reveal how POGK expression and localization heterogeneity contributes to cellular function and response variability.
Emerging technologies offer new possibilities for POGK investigation:
Intracellular antibody fragments:
Develop cell-permeable POGK-targeting nanobodies for live-cell imaging
Express intrabodies fused to fluorescent proteins for real-time monitoring
Create inhibitory antibody fragments to disrupt specific POGK interactions
Engineer proximity-based sensors to detect POGK activation states
Spatially-resolved antibody applications:
Adapt POGK antibodies for CODEX or MIBI-TOF ultra-high-parameter imaging
Develop antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates for spatial transcriptomics integration
Implement light-controlled antibody activation for spatiotemporal studies
Multiplexed detection systems:
Create barcoded antibody libraries for simultaneous detection of POGK and interacting partners
Implement sequential epitope detection for comprehensive protein complex mapping
Develop antibody-based single-molecule pull-down approaches for stoichiometry analysis
These approaches could reveal currently inaccessible aspects of POGK biology, particularly regarding dynamic regulation and context-specific interactions.
Computational methods offer powerful tools for optimizing POGK research:
Epitope prediction and antibody design:
Use structural bioinformatics to identify accessible, unique epitopes on POGK
Apply machine learning algorithms to predict optimal antibody-epitope interactions
Model conformational epitopes to design antibodies recognizing specific POGK states
Simulate linker flexibility for optimal bispecific antibody design
Data integration frameworks:
Correlate antibody-derived POGK localization data with omics datasets
Implement network analysis to position POGK within regulatory circuits
Use machine learning for automated image analysis in high-content screening
Develop predictive models of POGK function based on integrated datasets
Experimental design optimization:
Apply statistical power analyses to determine sample sizes for meaningful detection
Create digital twins of experimental systems to predict antibody performance
Develop simulation-based approaches to optimize multiplexed detection panels These computational strategies can guide rational antibody design and enhance interpretation of complex experimental data.