C14orf177, also referred to as chromosome 14 open reading frame 177, is a poorly characterized protein encoded by the C14orf177 gene in humans. While its precise biological function remains unclear, antibodies targeting this protein are critical tools for studying its expression, localization, and potential roles in cellular processes. The C14orf177 antibody is a polyclonal or monoclonal immunoglobulin designed to bind specifically to epitopes on the C14orf177 protein, enabling detection via techniques such as Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunoprecipitation. Below is a detailed analysis of commercially available C14orf177 antibodies, their applications, and research findings.
C14orf177 antibodies are primarily validated for detecting endogenous protein in lysates. For example:
NBP1-79606 (Novus): Demonstrates specificity in Western blot using 721_B cell lysate as a positive control, with optimal titration at 0.2–1 µg/ml .
HPA018091 (Sigma): Tested at 0.04–0.4 µg/ml, with enhanced validation through recombinant protein arrays and tissue profiling .
IHC applications focus on tissue localization:
ABIN7166823 (Antibodies-Online): Suitable for IHC, though specific staining patterns are not detailed in available data .
HPA018091 (Sigma): Part of the Human Protein Atlas, validated across 44 normal tissues and 20 cancers, providing subcellular localization insights .
Limited data exists for ELISA or immunoprecipitation:
ABIN7166823 is listed for ELISA but lacks reported performance metrics .
NBP1-79606 and HPA018091 lack explicit claims for immunoprecipitation, suggesting these applications are untested or unvalidated.
NBP1-79606: Targets the N-terminal region (aa 1-125) with a synthetic peptide (sequence: HKQGTKPMITRPSVSQLGEGKCPSSQHLQSLRHNKQHALTLTKARCCGEC) .
ABIN7166823: Recognizes the full-length recombinant protein (aa 1-125), suggesting broader epitope coverage .
HPA018091: Immunogen sequence spans regions critical for protein structure and function (HRKEPGARLEATRGAARPHKQGTKPMITRPSVSQLGEGKCPSSQHLQSLRHNKQHALTLTKARCCGECSTCFCTEEKSECQRHEETSPGSCNHQIMSASTISAFCATPRFKQLFKGTVEQMSQM...) .
HPA018091 undergoes stringent validation via the Human Protein Atlas, including:
NBP1-79606 and ABIN7166823 lack public specificity data, necessitating independent validation in target experiments.
C14orf177 antibodies are primarily characterized for detection rather than functional assays. For example:
Immunoprecipitation: No antibodies are explicitly validated for this application, limiting studies on protein-protein interactions.
ELISA: Only ABIN7166823 is listed for ELISA, but performance metrics (e.g., sensitivity) are absent .
Application-Specific Optimization: Titrate antibodies for Western blot (e.g., 0.2–1 µg/ml for NBP1-79606 ) and IHC (1:20–1:50 for HPA018091 ).
Control Experiments: Use knockout (KO) cell lines or peptide blocking to confirm specificity, as demonstrated in C9ORF72 antibody validation pipelines .
Cross-Platform Testing: Validate antibodies in multiple techniques (e.g., Western blot and IHC) to ensure consistency.
C14orf177 (Chromosome 14 Open Reading Frame 177) is a human protein encoded by the C14orf177 gene (Gene ID: 283598). It represents a putative uncharacterized protein with several target epitopes that have been used for antibody development. Research significance stems from its potential role in cellular processes that remain under investigation. Antibodies against C14orf177 serve primarily as research tools for protein detection, localization, and characterization studies .
For research applications, consider that C14orf177 antibodies are available with varying specificity for different amino acid regions, including antibodies targeting amino acids 1-125, 20-69, and N-terminal regions. This variability allows for targeted experimental design depending on which domain requires investigation .
C14orf177 antibodies support multiple experimental applications with distinct methodological considerations:
When designing experiments, researchers should note that different applications require specific antibody formats. For example, unconjugated antibodies are suitable for Western blot and IHC, while conjugated versions (HRP, FITC, or biotin) provide enhanced signal detection in ELISA applications .
To maintain optimal antibody functionality, researchers should follow these evidence-based protocols:
Storage temperature: Store at 4°C for short-term use or -20°C/-80°C for long-term storage
Aliquoting: Divide into smaller volumes to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles, which can significantly reduce antibody activity
Buffer composition: Typically preserved in PBS, pH 7.5, with 40-50% glycerol and preservatives (0.02% sodium azide or 0.03% Proclin 300)
Safety considerations: Exercise caution when handling preservative-containing solutions as they represent hazardous substances that should be managed by trained personnel
For IHC applications specifically, optimizing antibody dilution through preliminary titration experiments is recommended, as commercially available antibodies have variable recommended concentration ranges (1:20-1:500) .
Recent advancements in computational antibody engineering offer significant opportunities for designing C14orf177 antibodies with customized specificity profiles. The process involves:
Mode identification: Computational models can identify different binding modes associated with specific ligands by analyzing phage display experimental data
Energy function optimization: By minimizing or maximizing energy functions (Esw) associated with desired or undesired ligands, researchers can generate novel antibody sequences with predefined binding profiles
Cross-specificity engineering: For applications requiring multiple target recognition, joint minimization of energy functions for desired ligands can produce antibodies with broader recognition patterns
Specific binding engineering: For highly specific applications, minimizing energy functions for target ligands while maximizing functions for undesired ligands results in antibodies with enhanced discrimination capabilities
This computational approach has demonstrated success in designing antibodies that can discriminate between chemically similar epitopes, which is particularly valuable for C14orf177 research where specific domain targeting may be required .
Epitope mapping with C14orf177 antibodies requires careful methodological planning:
Competition ELISA approach: This technique allows researchers to determine whether different antibodies recognize overlapping epitopes by measuring competitive binding inhibition, similar to methods used with other RBD-specific antibodies
Resolution considerations: High-resolution (approximately 3.2 Å) analysis enables precise identification of antibody-antigen interactions, including hydrogen bonds and salt bridges formed between CDR loops and target protein regions
Conformational epitope analysis: Since some antibodies may only recognize specific protein conformations (e.g., "up" versus "down" conformations), structural analysis should account for these dynamic states
Binding mode diversity: Multiple binding modes may target similar epitope regions but with different angles of approach, affecting specificity and breadth of recognition
Researchers should consider that while epitope location correlates with binding breadth, additional factors including binding angle significantly influence antibody functionality and cross-reactivity with related targets .
Robust validation strategies are essential for ensuring experimental reliability:
Multi-platform validation: Confirm antibody specificity using complementary methods such as protein arrays, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry
Statistical analysis: Employ receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis on a panel of antibodies using log-transformed ELISA data to establish predictive models and determine optimal cut-off points (theta) for distinguishing specific from non-specific binding
Tissue expression correlation: Perform immunohistochemical staining on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue to verify target protein expression patterns correspond with antibody binding patterns
Control inclusion: Include appropriate control tissues (both positive and negative) in validation experiments, such as normal kidney tissue and tissues from related but distinct pathological conditions
Researchers should note that integration of multiple validation approaches provides greater confidence in antibody specificity than reliance on any single validation method .
When incorporating C14orf177 antibodies into experimental workflows, researchers must consider immunoglobulin isotype effects:
IgG versus IgA considerations: While most commercial C14orf177 antibodies are IgG isotype, experimental questions involving mucosal immunity may benefit from IgA-based detection systems
Secondary detection optimization: Different detection systems (HRP, FITC, biotin) require specific secondary antibodies matched to the primary antibody's host species and isotype
Background signal mitigation: Isotype-matched control antibodies should be employed to distinguish non-specific binding, particularly in complex tissue samples
Cross-reactivity challenges: When multiple antibodies are used simultaneously, ensure they have compatible isotypes or employ isotype-specific secondary detection to prevent signal confusion
For multiplex applications, researchers should verify that detection systems for different isotypes do not interfere with each other, particularly when analyzing complex protein interactions .
Current technical limitations and potential solutions include:
Specificity challenges: Some C14orf177 antibodies demonstrate cross-reactivity with related proteins. Advanced purification techniques, including antigen affinity purification, can enhance specificity
Conformational epitope recognition: Many antibodies recognize only specific protein conformations, limiting their utility in certain applications. Developing conformation-independent antibodies through targeted epitope selection may address this limitation
Limited cross-species reactivity: Most commercial C14orf177 antibodies demonstrate human-specific reactivity. Engineering broader reactivity through computational design approaches offers potential solutions for comparative studies
Variable reproducibility: Batch-to-batch variation impacts experimental consistency. Implementing standardized validation protocols for each lot can mitigate this limitation
Researchers might overcome these limitations through computational antibody engineering approaches that optimize CDR sequences for improved specificity, stability, and cross-reactivity profiles based on structural and functional data .
The research landscape for C14orf177 antibodies continues to evolve, with several promising developments on the horizon:
Integration of high-throughput sequencing with computational modeling to design antibodies with precisely customized specificity profiles
Development of novel binding modes that enhance recognition of previously inaccessible epitopes on C14orf177
Application of machine learning approaches to predict optimal antibody-antigen interactions based on structural and functional relationships
Implementation of standardized validation protocols that enhance reproducibility across research platforms
These advancements will likely facilitate more precise molecular characterization of C14orf177 and its potential biological functions, while simultaneously providing researchers with more reliable and versatile experimental tools.
When selecting C14orf177 antibodies for specific research applications, researchers should consider:
Epitope specificity: Choose antibodies targeting specific amino acid regions (e.g., AA 1-125, AA 20-69, N-terminus) based on the protein domain of interest
Application compatibility: Ensure the selected antibody has been validated for the intended application (IHC, WB, ELISA) at appropriate dilutions
Format requirements: Select unconjugated antibodies for applications like Western blot and IHC, or conjugated versions (HRP, FITC, biotin) for enhanced detection sensitivity in ELISA
Validation evidence: Prioritize antibodies with comprehensive validation data across multiple experimental platforms
Storage and stability: Consider practical aspects such as storage requirements and shelf-life when planning long-term research projects