Si:dkey-29f10.1 is a protein-coding gene in zebrafish (Danio rerio) that has been cataloged in genomic databases but remains functionally uncharacterized. Researchers study this protein primarily through antibody-based detection methods to understand its expression patterns during development and in adult tissues. Unlike many well-characterized zebrafish genes, si:dkey-29f10.1 belongs to a class of genes identified through genomic sequencing that lack clear orthology with mammalian genes, making it particularly interesting for understanding zebrafish-specific biological processes .
The commercially available antibodies against this target (such as CSB-PA744228XA01DIL) provide researchers with tools to study this protein's expression and function through techniques like Western blotting (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) .
According to available research and product documentation, the si:dkey-29f10.1 antibody has been validated for:
Western blotting (WB): Effective for determining protein expression levels and molecular weight verification
ELISA: Suitable for quantitative measurement of si:dkey-29f10.1 protein in solution
Unlike some other zebrafish antibodies that have been validated for immunohistochemistry (IHC) or immunofluorescence (IF), current documentation doesn't specifically claim validation for these applications with si:dkey-29f10.1 antibody. Researchers should perform their own validation if extending to these methods, following protocols similar to those established for other zebrafish protein antibodies .
When working with zebrafish tissues and the si:dkey-29f10.1 antibody, fixation protocol optimization is critical to successful detection. Based on established protocols for zebrafish antibodies:
Fixative selection: For antibodies with unknown fixation sensitivity, test both paraformaldehyde (PFA, 4%) and formalin-based fixatives with varied fixation times (30 minutes to 2 hours)
Epitope sensitivity assessment: Similar to other antibodies studied in zebrafish, assess whether the epitope recognized by si:dkey-29f10.1 antibody is fixation-sensitive through comparative analysis of fixed and unfixed samples
Fixation duration: Begin with shorter fixation times (30-60 minutes) for embryonic tissues and longer times (1-2 hours) for adult tissues
Temperature considerations: Perform fixation at room temperature initially, then test 4°C for potentially improved epitope preservation
Some antibodies against zebrafish proteins have shown significant loss of immunoreactivity upon prolonged formalin fixation, with certain conformational epitopes being particularly sensitive . Without specific published data on si:dkey-29f10.1 antibody fixation sensitivity, researchers should empirically determine optimal conditions.
For optimal results with si:dkey-29f10.1 antibody in zebrafish samples:
Western blotting conditions:
Blocking: 5% non-fat milk or 3-5% BSA in TBST (Tris-buffered saline with 0.1% Tween-20) for 1 hour at room temperature
Primary antibody dilution: Start with 1:500-1:2000 dilution in blocking buffer
Incubation: Overnight at 4°C with gentle agitation
Washing: 3-5 washes with TBST, 5-10 minutes each
Secondary antibody: HRP-conjugated anti-species antibody at 1:5000-1:10000 dilution
ELISA conditions:
Coating: 1-10 μg/ml of capture antibody in carbonate buffer (pH 9.6)
Blocking: 1-3% BSA in PBS for 1-2 hours at room temperature
Sample incubation: 1-2 hours at room temperature or overnight at 4°C
Detection antibody: 0.5-2 μg/ml of detection antibody for 1-2 hours
Substrate: TMB with reaction stopped using 2N H₂SO₄
These recommendations are based on general protocols for zebrafish antibodies and should be optimized specifically for si:dkey-29f10.1 antibody through titration experiments .
For developmental expression pattern analysis using si:dkey-29f10.1 antibody in zebrafish embryos:
Staged collection protocol:
Collect embryos at key developmental timepoints (e.g., 24, 48, 72, 96 hpf)
Process samples in parallel for comparative analysis
Whole-mount immunostaining methodology:
Fix embryos in 4% PFA for 2-4 hours at room temperature or overnight at 4°C
Permeabilize with 0.5% Triton X-100 in PBS for 30 minutes
Block with 10% normal goat serum, 1% DMSO, 0.1% Tween-20 in PBS for 1-2 hours
Incubate with si:dkey-29f10.1 antibody (1:200-1:500) for 1-2 days at 4°C
Wash extensively (6-8 times, 15-30 minutes each) with PBT (PBS + 0.1% Tween-20)
Incubate with fluorescent secondary antibody overnight at 4°C
Counterstain with DAPI to visualize nuclei
Image acquisition strategy:
Use confocal microscopy for high-resolution imaging
Collect z-stacks through the entire embryo or tissue of interest
Analyze expression patterns across developmental stages
This approach can be combined with in situ hybridization for si:dkey-29f10.1 mRNA to correlate protein and transcript expression patterns, similar to methods demonstrated for other zebrafish proteins .
When validating si:dkey-29f10.1 antibody specificity, the following controls are essential:
Negative controls:
Secondary antibody only (omitting primary antibody)
Pre-immune serum at the same concentration as the antibody
Unrelated antibody of the same isotype and concentration
Non-expressing tissue samples (if known)
Peptide competition assay:
Pre-incubate antibody with excess purified si:dkey-29f10.1 protein or immunizing peptide
Compare staining between blocked and unblocked antibody
Specific staining should be abolished or significantly reduced
Genetic validation:
Use CRISPR/Cas9 or morpholino knockdown of si:dkey-29f10.1
Compare antibody staining in wild-type versus knockdown samples
Specific staining should be reduced or absent in knockdown samples
Molecular weight verification:
Verify that Western blot detection shows a band of the expected molecular weight
Check for cross-reactivity with other proteins
Multi-antibody comparison:
If available, compare staining patterns with a second antibody raised against a different epitope of si:dkey-29f10.1
These controls are essential to establish confidence in the specificity of the antibody and rule out potential artifacts or cross-reactivity .
Background staining can be problematic when using antibodies in zebrafish tissues. To reduce background with si:dkey-29f10.1 antibody:
Pre-absorption strategy:
Incubate antibody with acetone powder from non-expressing tissue
Centrifuge to remove bound antibodies and use supernatant
Blocking optimization:
Test different blocking agents (BSA, normal serum, fish gelatin)
Increase blocking time (up to overnight at 4°C)
Use 5-10% normal serum from the species of the secondary antibody
Antibody dilution optimization:
Test serial dilutions to find optimal signal-to-noise ratio
Consider longer incubation at higher dilution
Washing protocol enhancement:
Increase number and duration of washes
Add 0.2-0.5M NaCl to wash buffer to reduce non-specific ionic interactions
Include 0.1-0.3% Triton X-100 in wash buffer for better penetration
Autofluorescence reduction:
For fluorescent detection, treat with 0.1-1% sodium borohydride for 5-10 minutes
Include 0.1-0.3% Sudan Black B in 70% ethanol for 10-30 minutes after secondary antibody incubation
These approaches have been successfully used with other zebrafish antibodies and may help optimize si:dkey-29f10.1 antibody performance .
If cross-reactivity is observed with si:dkey-29f10.1 antibody:
Cross-reactivity assessment:
Perform Western blot analysis under various denaturing conditions
Compare observed bands with predicted molecular weight
Sequence additional bands to identify cross-reactive proteins
Epitope analysis:
Use bioinformatics to identify proteins with similar epitopes
Test predictions with competition assays using synthetic peptides
Antibody purification:
Perform affinity purification using the specific antigen
Use pre-adsorption against tissues from knockout models
Alternative detection strategy:
Consider epitope-tagged transgenic approaches
Use RNA detection methods (in situ hybridization) in parallel
Validation with genetic approaches:
Generate CRISPR/Cas9 knockout controls
Use morpholino knockdown with appropriate controls
Verify specificity through rescue experiments
Cross-reactivity is a common challenge with antibodies in zebrafish due to genome duplication events and paralogous genes. Careful validation is essential to distinguish between specific and non-specific signals .
For comprehensive functional characterization utilizing si:dkey-29f10.1 antibody:
Integrated multi-omics approach:
Correlate protein expression (antibody-based) with transcriptomic data
Identify co-expressed genes through parallel RNA-seq analysis
Create protein interaction networks using co-immunoprecipitation with si:dkey-29f10.1 antibody
Temporal-spatial expression mapping:
Combine antibody staining with transgenic reporter lines
Map expression to specific cell types using dual immunofluorescence
Create comprehensive developmental expression atlases
Functional perturbation studies:
Use antibody to validate successful CRISPR/Cas9 or morpholino knockdown
Perform phenotypic analysis of knockdown embryos
Rescue experiments with mRNA injection followed by antibody validation
Subcellular localization analysis:
Combine si:dkey-29f10.1 antibody with organelle markers
Use super-resolution microscopy for detailed localization
Perform cellular fractionation followed by Western blotting
This integrated approach provides multiple lines of evidence for protein function and helps place si:dkey-29f10.1 in its biological context .
When comparing si:dkey-29f10.1 expression across different conditions:
Standardization protocol:
Process all samples simultaneously with identical protocols
Include internal loading controls (e.g., β-actin, GAPDH)
Use quantitative analysis methods with appropriate normalization
Quantification methodology:
For Western blots, use densitometry with linear range validation
For immunofluorescence, establish consistent imaging parameters
Consider fluorescence intensity quantification with appropriate background subtraction
Statistical analysis approach:
Perform experiments with sufficient biological replicates (minimum n=3)
Apply appropriate statistical tests for data distribution
Consider power analysis to determine sample size requirements
Genetic background considerations:
Account for strain-specific variations
Include wild-type controls from the same genetic background
Consider using isogenic lines for reduced variability
Environmental variable control:
Standardize rearing conditions (temperature, light cycles, density)
Control for developmental staging (somite number, hours post-fertilization)
Document and control feeding regimens for post-embryonic studies
Proper experimental design and controls are essential for meaningful comparisons of si:dkey-29f10.1 expression across different conditions, particularly given the limited characterization of this protein .