The C11orf68 Antibody is a polyclonal rabbit-derived antibody targeting the human protein encoded by the C11orf68 gene (also known as BLES03 or UPF0696). This antibody is primarily used in research to study the role of C11orf68 in cellular processes, including RNA binding and its association with cancer invasiveness .
Function: RNA-binding activity, implicated in poly(A) RNA interactions .
Expression: Upregulated in invasive cancers due to promoter hypomethylation .
Use Case: Analysis of C11orf68 expression in cancer tissues (e.g., invasive ductal/lobular carcinomas) .
Key Study: Genome-wide hypomethylation of the C11orf68 promoter was linked to upregulated expression in invasive breast, liver, and prostate cancers .
Mechanism: Reduced DNA methylation at 5′UTR regions correlates with enhanced cell invasiveness .
C11orf68, also known as UPF0696 protein C11orf68, Basophilic Leukemia-Expressed Protein Bles03, or Protein P5326, is a protein encoded by the chromosome 11 open reading frame 68 gene . This protein has garnered research interest due to its potential roles in biological processes yet to be fully characterized. Studies utilizing C11orf68 antibodies help elucidate its expression patterns, subcellular localization, and possible functions in normal and pathological conditions . Methodologically, researchers typically employ these antibodies in protein detection assays such as Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence to map expression across tissues and cellular compartments.
C11orf68 antibodies come in several forms differentiated by host organisms, clonality, binding specificity, and conjugation status:
| Antibody Type | Specifications | Common Applications |
|---|---|---|
| By Host | Predominantly rabbit-derived | WB, IHC, ELISA, IF/ICC |
| By Clonality | Primarily polyclonal | Multiple epitope recognition |
| By Binding Region | Targeting specific amino acid sequences (e.g., AA 1-251, AA 151-201) | Different structural domains |
| By Conjugation | Unconjugated, FITC, Biotin, HRP | Direct detection or signal amplification |
Selection should be based on experimental requirements, with unconjugated antibodies offering flexibility for secondary detection systems, while conjugated versions provide direct visualization or detection capabilities .
Most commercially available C11orf68 antibodies demonstrate reactivity with human samples, which is the primary research focus . Some antibodies offer cross-reactivity with mouse and rat samples, allowing for comparative studies across species models . The antibody cataloged as STJ194102 specifically shows reactivity with human, mouse, and rat samples , while other products like the Proteintech antibody (84725-5-RR) have been validated extensively in human samples including A431 cells, PC-3 cells, and human stomach cancer tissue . When designing cross-species experiments, researchers should carefully verify the specific reactivity claims with validation data from manufacturers.
Dilution optimization is critical for balancing signal strength against background. Based on validated protocols:
Each new antibody lot should undergo titration validation, as optimal concentrations may vary between manufacturers and applications .
Proper storage and handling significantly impact antibody performance. For C11orf68 antibodies:
Avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles which can cause protein denaturation and reduced activity
For light-sensitive conjugates like FITC, minimize exposure to light during storage and handling
Most C11orf68 antibodies are supplied in buffer containing 50% glycerol, allowing for storage at -20°C without freezing solid
Working aliquots can be stored at 4°C for up to one month, but prolonged storage at this temperature is not recommended
When working with these antibodies, thaw completely before use, mix gently to avoid foaming, and centrifuge briefly to collect all liquid at the bottom of the tube before opening .
Effective sample preparation enhances detection sensitivity and specificity:
Cell lysis buffers containing protease inhibitors are essential to prevent protein degradation
For membrane-associated proteins, include detergents like NP-40, Triton X-100, or CHAPS
Sample denaturation conditions should be optimized (temperature, reducing agents)
Loading 20-40 μg of total protein typically yields detectable C11orf68 signals
Fresh samples generally produce cleaner results than frozen-thawed lysates
Based on published protocols, C11orf68 antibodies have successfully detected endogenous levels in human cell lines including A431 and PC-3 . Methodologically, researchers should include positive control samples of known C11orf68 expression to validate detection and quantification procedures.
Nonspecific binding is a common challenge that can obscure meaningful results:
Optimize blocking conditions using 3-5% BSA or milk in TBST/PBST, testing which gives cleaner background
For tissue samples, pre-absorb antibodies with tissue powder from a species different from your experimental samples
Increase washing duration and volume (minimum three 10-minute washes with gentle agitation)
Include 0.1-0.3% Tween-20 in wash buffers to reduce hydrophobic nonspecific interactions
For IHC applications with C11orf68 antibodies, consider antigen retrieval with TE buffer at pH 9.0 as recommended for optimal results
Experimentally, comparing binding patterns between related antibodies targeting different epitopes of C11orf68 can help distinguish specific from nonspecific signals.
Rigorous validation requires appropriate controls:
Positive tissue/cell controls: Use samples with known C11orf68 expression (A431 cells, PC-3 cells have been validated)
Negative controls: Include samples where the target is known to be absent or knocked down
Peptide competition assays: Pre-incubate antibody with immunizing peptide to confirm specificity
Secondary-only controls: Omit primary antibody to assess background from secondary detection
Isotype controls: Use non-specific IgG from the same host species and at the same concentration
Knockdown/knockout validation: Compare staining in wild-type versus C11orf68-depleted samples
These controls should be performed for each new application or sample type to ensure reliable data interpretation and reproducibility.
When different antibodies yield conflicting results:
Compare epitope recognition sites—antibodies targeting different domains may detect different isoforms or post-translationally modified variants
Evaluate antibody validation data from manufacturers for each specific application
Consider protein conformation effects—some epitopes may be masked in particular cellular compartments or under certain fixation conditions
Use orthogonal techniques (e.g., mass spectrometry) to confirm protein identity
Test multiple antibodies in parallel on the same samples to determine the most consistent performer
For C11orf68 specifically, antibodies targeting the region AA 1-251 versus those targeting AA 151-201 might yield different results depending on protein processing or interaction states .
Effective experimental design follows these principles:
Include sufficient biological replicates (minimum triplicates) to account for natural variation
Randomize sample preparation to avoid batch effects
Process control and experimental samples simultaneously to minimize technical variation
Include technical replicates for validation of detection method consistency
For differential expression studies, carefully control for confounding variables and consider power analysis for sample size determination
Proteintech's C11orf68 antibody has been validated in human stomach cancer tissue , suggesting potential applications in cancer research where proper experimental controls must include matched normal tissue from the same patients whenever possible.
Proper normalization is essential for accurate comparative analysis:
For Western blots:
Normalize to housekeeping proteins (β-actin, GAPDH, α-tubulin) after confirming their stability across experimental conditions
Consider total protein normalization using stain-free gels or membrane staining as an alternative approach
Apply lane normalization to account for loading differences
For immunohistochemistry:
Use digital image analysis with appropriate background subtraction
Apply tissue-specific normalization to account for variability in sample composition
Consider cell-type specific quantification for heterogeneous tissues
For all quantitative analyses:
Report normalization methods transparently
Validate normalization controls across experimental conditions
Apply appropriate statistical tests based on data distribution and experimental design
Advanced research often requires simultaneous analysis of multiple targets:
Multiplex immunofluorescence:
Flow cytometry applications:
C11orf68 FITC-conjugated antibodies can be incorporated into multicolor panels
Titrate antibodies in the context of the full panel to account for fluorophore interactions
Include fluorescence-minus-one (FMO) controls for accurate gating
Protein interaction studies:
Use C11orf68 antibodies for co-immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry
Consider proximity ligation assays to identify interaction partners in situ
Validate interactions with reciprocal immunoprecipitation experiments
These multiparameter approaches require careful optimization of antibody concentrations and detection parameters to ensure reliable and reproducible results.
C11orf68 represents a protein with potential undiscovered functions that antibody-based research can help elucidate:
Tissue expression mapping:
Systematic analysis across normal and pathological human tissues
Correlation with clinical outcomes in disease states
Development of diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers
Subcellular localization studies:
High-resolution imaging with validated C11orf68 antibodies
Changes in localization during cellular processes or stress conditions
Co-localization with known functional protein complexes
Functional analyses:
Combine antibody-based detection with knockout/knockdown approaches
Assess effects on cellular pathways through phospho-protein analysis
Identify differential expression in response to therapeutic interventions
The validated reactivity of current antibodies with human, mouse, and rat samples enables translational research spanning from basic mechanisms to potential clinical applications.
Multi-omics integration requires careful technical approaches:
When correlating protein and mRNA levels:
Account for potential post-transcriptional regulation
Consider temporal differences between transcription and translation
Use statistical methods appropriate for integrating different data types
For single-cell applications:
Validate antibody specificity in low-abundance situations
Develop protocols that preserve both RNA and protein epitopes
Apply computational approaches that can handle multi-modal data
Technical validation:
Confirm antibody detection correlates with transcript abundance in controlled systems
Account for protein stability and half-life when comparing to mRNA data
Consider alternative splicing events that might affect epitope presence
Understanding these technical limitations is essential for meaningful integration of antibody-based protein detection with transcriptomic data, particularly when studying proteins like C11orf68 where functional characterization is still emerging.