BCAP29 is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and ER-vesicle membrane protein involved in anterograde transport of membrane proteins and immune receptor signaling . Antibodies targeting BCAP29 enable researchers to study its interaction with membrane-bound immunoglobulins (e.g., IgM/IgD) and its chaperone-like role in B-cell receptor (BCR) complexes . BCAP29 antibodies are validated across species, including human, mouse, and rat .
BCAP29 antibodies are utilized in diverse experimental contexts:
BCR and TLR Signaling: BCAP29 forms heterodimers with BAP31, retaining unbound mIg complexes in the ER .
Phosphorylation: BCAP29 undergoes hyperphosphorylation at tyrosine (Y), serine (S), and threonine (T) residues mediated by kinases like SYK, BTK, and casein kinases .
Protein Interactions:
ER-to-Golgi Transport: Facilitates anterograde transport of membrane proteins .
Apoptosis Regulation: Implicated in CASP8-mediated pathways .
BCAP29 antibodies demonstrate robust performance across platforms:
| Application | Sample | Dilution | Observed MW | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Blot | Jurkat, Raji, COLO 320 cells | 1:1000–1:8000 | 28 kDa | |
| IHC (Paraffin) | Human lymphoma, heart tissue | 1:20–1:200 | N/A | |
| Immunofluorescence | HeLa cells | 1:10–1:100 | N/A |
Band Patterns: BCAP29 migrates at ~28 kDa in WB, with phosphorylation causing shifts up to 100 kDa .
Tissue Specificity: Strong expression in lymphoid tissues and cancer cell lines (e.g., Raji, U-87 MG) .
BCAP29 serves as a signaling hub, interacting with adaptors and kinases:
BCAP29 may play a role in anterograde transport of membrane proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi. It may also be involved in CASP8-mediated apoptosis.
BCAP29 antibodies have been validated for multiple applications including:
| Application | Typical Dilution Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Western Blotting (WB) | 0.5-2 μg/mL | Most widely validated application |
| Immunohistochemistry (IHC-P) | 5-10 μg/mL | Works well on paraffin-embedded sections |
| Immunofluorescence (IF) | 10-20 μg/mL | Effective for cellular localization studies |
| ELISA | Application-dependent | Useful for quantitative analysis |
| Flow Cytometry (FC/FACS) | Application-dependent | Less commonly validated |
For optimal results, the working concentration should be determined empirically for each specific antibody and experimental setup .
Most commercially available BCAP29 antibodies show reactivity with:
Human
Mouse
Rat
Some antibodies have been specifically developed for other species including:
Cynomolgus/Rhesus macaque
Bovine
Canine
Feline
Equine
Always verify the specific species reactivity listed for your chosen antibody, as cross-reactivity varies significantly between products .
For optimal maintenance of antibody activity:
Store at -20°C for long-term storage (up to one year)
Can be stored at 4°C for up to three months
Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles
Do not expose to prolonged high temperatures
Most BCAP29 antibodies are supplied in PBS containing 0.02% sodium azide as preservative
Some suppliers ship their antibodies on dry ice, indicating the importance of maintaining cold chain integrity .
BCAP29 antibodies are valuable tools for investigating B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling:
Co-immunoprecipitation studies: Use BCAP29 antibodies to pull down protein complexes and identify interaction partners in BCR signaling cascades
Phosphorylation analysis: Combine with phospho-specific antibodies to examine how BCAP29 is regulated during signaling events
Protein localization: Employ IF to track BCAP29 redistribution upon BCR stimulation
Functional studies: Use in combination with other signaling molecule antibodies like PI3K, Grb2, and CRKL
Research has shown that BCAP plays a crucial role in recruiting SH2/SH3 domain proteins, including the PI3K regulatory subunits p85 α/β. Studies have demonstrated that BCAP interacts with Grb2, potentially linking BCR signaling to the Ras-MAPK pathway .
When designing experiments to study BCAP29's role in protein trafficking:
Subcellular fractionation: BCAP29 is predominantly found in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and ER-vesicle membranes
Co-localization studies: Combine BCAP29 antibodies with markers for ER, Golgi, and vesicular compartments
Protein-protein interactions: BCAP29 forms heterodimers with BAP31, which can be studied using co-immunoprecipitation
Trafficking assays: Monitor transport of membrane proteins when BCAP29 is depleted or overexpressed
BCAP29 and the related protein BAP31 interact with membrane-bound immunoglobulins (mIgs) and may function as chaperones for transmembrane regions of various proteins. The BCAP29/BAP31 heterodimer has been implicated in ER retention of non-Ig-alpha/Ig-beta bound mIg complexes .
Recent research has identified chimeric RNAs involving BCAP29:
RNA-protein interaction studies: Use BCAP29 antibodies in RIP (RNA immunoprecipitation) assays to identify associated RNAs
Expression correlation: Compare protein expression (via BCAP29 antibodies) with chimeric RNA levels
Evolutionary studies: Examine BCAP29 protein conservation across species that do or don't express specific chimeric RNAs
Functional analysis: Investigate whether chimeric RNAs affect BCAP29 protein function or localization
Chimeric RNAs, once believed to be unique to cancer, are now being discovered in normal physiology. Studies suggest some chimeric RNAs may be functional precursors of genes, representing evolutionary intermediates before functional elements are fixed in the genome .
When troubleshooting Western blots with BCAP29 antibodies:
| Issue | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple bands | Isoform detection | BCAP29 has multiple isoforms; confirm specificity with supplier data |
| Unexpected molecular weight | Post-translational modifications | The calculated MW is ~28-30 kDa, but observed bands may appear at different sizes due to modifications |
| Weak signal | Low expression level | Increase protein loading or antibody concentration; consider using enriched membrane fractions |
| High background | Non-specific binding | Optimize blocking conditions; increase washing steps; try alternative blocking agents |
| No signal | Epitope masking | Try different lysis buffers that preserve the epitope structure |
Notably, while the calculated molecular weight of BCAP29 is approximately 28 kDa, observed bands may appear at different sizes (~27 kDa or ~68 kDa) depending on the antibody used and potential post-translational modifications .
Comprehensive validation of BCAP29 antibodies should include:
Positive and negative controls:
Use tissues/cells known to express BCAP29 (e.g., heart tissue, B cells)
Include tissues/cells with minimal expression or knockout models
Peptide competition assays:
Pre-incubate antibody with immunizing peptide
Should eliminate or significantly reduce specific signal
Knockdown/knockout validation:
Use siRNA/shRNA against BCAP29 or CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout
Should result in reduced or eliminated signal
Multiple antibody approach:
Use antibodies targeting different epitopes of BCAP29
Consistent results increase confidence in specificity
Correlation with mRNA expression:
Compare protein detection with RT-PCR/RNA-seq data
Signal intensity should generally correlate with transcript levels
High-quality antibodies should show consistent results across multiple validation methods .
When investigating BCAP29 phosphorylation:
Stimulation conditions:
For B cells: Use anti-IgM antibodies (15 μg/ml F(ab')₂ fragments) to stimulate BCR signaling
For other cell types: Consider cytokine or growth factor stimulation that activates PI3K pathways
Time course analysis:
Include multiple time points (0, 2, 5, 10, 30 min) to capture transient phosphorylation events
Rapid fixation techniques are essential to preserve phosphorylation status
Detection methods:
Phospho-specific antibodies (when available)
Phosphoprotein staining after immunoprecipitation with BCAP29 antibodies
Mass spectrometry analysis of immunoprecipitated BCAP29
Interaction analysis:
Use co-immunoprecipitation with BCAP29 antibodies before and after stimulation
Investigate known interactors (PI3K p85 subunits, Grb2, Nck1/2)
Include phosphatase inhibitors in all buffers
Research has shown that phosphorylation of BCAP promotes recruitment of multiple SH2/SH3 proteins including GRB2, which connects to downstream signaling pathways .
For rigorous IHC studies with BCAP29 antibodies:
Positive tissue controls:
Heart tissue shows consistent BCAP29 expression
B cell-rich tissues (lymph nodes, spleen) for immune studies
Negative controls:
Primary antibody omission
Isotype control (rabbit IgG at equivalent concentration)
Pre-absorption with immunizing peptide
Expression validation controls:
Correlation with in situ hybridization for BCAP29 mRNA
Comparison with alternative antibodies targeting different epitopes
Staining protocol controls:
Titration series to determine optimal antibody concentration
Different antigen retrieval methods (e.g., citrate vs. EDTA buffer)
Include internal positive controls (tissues/cells known to express target)
Published studies have successfully used BCAP29 antibodies at 10 μg/mL for IHC-P applications in human heart tissue .
When analyzing BCAP29 in normal versus malignant B cells:
Expression patterns:
Quantitative comparison using standardized WB or IHC protocols
Analysis across B-cell developmental stages (pro-B, pre-B, mature B, plasma cells)
Correlation with B-cell activation states
Functional differences:
Protein interaction analysis in normal vs. malignant B cells
Phosphorylation status and response to BCR stimulation
Subcellular localization changes
Interpretation frameworks:
Consider BCAP29's role in BCR signaling pathways frequently dysregulated in lymphomas
Evaluate potential involvement in cell survival and apoptosis resistance
Assess correlation with PI3K pathway activation, commonly altered in B-cell malignancies
The essential immunoregulatory role of BCAP in B cell development has been documented, with BCAP-deficient mice showing reduced numbers of peripheral B cells and impaired immune responses to T-cell-independent antigens .
For multi-omics integration of BCAP29 data:
Correlation analyses:
Compare protein expression (via antibody detection) with mRNA levels
Investigate relationship between BCAP29 protein expression and gene mutations/variants
Examine potential impact of epigenetic modifications on BCAP29 expression
Pathway integration:
Map BCAP29 protein interactions to transcriptional networks
Analyze effects of BCAP29 manipulation on transcriptome-wide expression patterns
Identify feedback mechanisms between BCAP29 signaling and gene expression
Evolutionary context:
Compare BCAP29 protein conservation with genomic changes across species
Investigate the relationship between BCAP29 and chimeric RNAs/fusion genes
Analyze the co-evolution of BCAP29 with interacting partners
Recent studies have explored chimeric RNAs involving BCAP29, suggesting potential evolutionary mechanisms where chimeric RNA formation at the transcriptional level may precede genomic integration .