The AT1G28390 gene encodes a protein kinase superfamily protein with a predicted molecular weight of ~70 kDa. This protein is implicated in phosphorylation-dependent signaling cascades, though its exact biological role remains under investigation .
The antibody was raised against a recombinant protein or peptide derived from the AT1G28390 sequence. Key characteristics include:
Immunogen: A 15–20 amino acid peptide from the C-terminal region of AT1G28390 .
Host Species: Rabbit or mouse (exact details unspecified in available data) .
Purification: Affinity-purified using protein A/G chromatography .
A single band at ~70 kDa was observed in wild-type plants but not in at1g28390 mutants, suggesting specificity .
Cross-reactivity with unrelated proteins (e.g., AT1G28390 paralogs) has not been systematically ruled out .
The antibody has been used in immunofluorescence microscopy to map AT1G28390’s cytoplasmic distribution, consistent with its role in intracellular signaling .
Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) experiments using this antibody identified potential binding partners, including:
AT1G43670: A fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase involved in sucrose biosynthesis .
AT1G58602: A disease resistance protein with LRR and NB-ARC domains .
Key Issues:
Antibodies against Arabidopsis kinases often face specificity challenges due to conserved domains. For example:
Anti-PIN3: Validated via mutant controls and mass spectrometry .
Anti-AXR1: Shows no cross-reactivity with AXR2/AXR3 paralogs .
The At1g28390 antibody performs comparably to other research-grade reagents but requires additional validation for quantitative applications (e.g., ELISA or flow cytometry) .
At1g28390 is a gene located on chromosome 1 of Arabidopsis thaliana (Mouse-ear cress). Like other Arabidopsis genes with the "At" prefix, it follows the standard nomenclature where "At" indicates Arabidopsis thaliana, "1" represents chromosome 1, "g" denotes a gene, and "28390" is the specific identifier . Understanding the target protein's characteristics, expression patterns, and functional domains is essential before designing experiments with antibodies against this protein. Researchers should consult databases like The Arabidopsis Information Resource (TAIR) and UniProt, which provide comprehensive annotation information for Arabidopsis genes and their encoded proteins .
Antibodies against plant proteins are typically generated through several approaches:
Synthetic peptide immunization: Short peptide sequences (10-20 amino acids) unique to At1g28390 are synthesized and used to immunize animals such as rabbits or mice. This approach allows targeting specific domains of the protein .
Recombinant protein immunization: The full At1g28390 protein or a specific domain is expressed in a heterologous system (bacterial, insect, or yeast), purified, and used for immunization.
Hybridoma technology: Following immunization, B cells from the animal can be isolated and fused with myeloma cells to create hybridomas that secrete monoclonal antibodies with high specificity for the target protein .
The choice depends on the protein characteristics, required specificity, and intended research applications.
| Method | Advantages | Limitations | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synthetic peptide | Targets specific domains, faster production | May not represent native protein folding | Known epitope targeting |
| Recombinant protein | Better representation of protein structure | More complex production | General protein detection |
| Hybridoma | High specificity, renewable source | Time-intensive, expensive | Long-term studies requiring consistent detection |
Rigorous validation is critical for ensuring research reproducibility. For At1g28390 antibody, recommended validation approaches include:
Western blot analysis using:
Wild-type Arabidopsis tissue
at1g28390 knockout or knockdown mutants (negative control)
Tissues with At1g28390 overexpression (positive control)
Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry to confirm the pulled-down protein is indeed At1g28390.
Preabsorption tests where the antibody is pre-incubated with the immunizing peptide before use to confirm binding specificity.
Heterologous expression systems: Testing antibody reactivity with cells transfected with At1g28390 cDNA versus control cells, similar to methods described for other receptor antibodies .
Successful Western blotting with At1g28390 antibody requires optimization of several parameters:
Sample preparation:
Extract proteins from Arabidopsis tissues using a buffer containing protease inhibitors
Include phosphatase inhibitors if studying phosphorylation states
Test different tissues and developmental stages as At1g28390 expression may vary
SDS-PAGE conditions:
Choose gel percentage based on the molecular weight of At1g28390
Include positive controls (e.g., recombinant At1g28390 protein)
Use protein size markers appropriate for the expected molecular weight
Antibody incubation:
Test different blocking agents (BSA, milk, commercial blockers)
Determine optimal primary antibody dilution (typically start with 1:1000)
Optimize secondary antibody dilution and detection method
Troubleshooting matrix:
| Issue | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| High background | Insufficient blocking | Increase blocking time/concentration |
| No signal | Low protein expression | Check expression timing in tissues |
| Multiple bands | Cross-reactivity | Use peptide competition assay |
| Inconsistent results | Storage degradation | Aliquot antibody, minimize freeze-thaw cycles |
For successful immunolocalization of At1g28390 in plant tissues:
Tissue preparation:
Test both chemical fixation (e.g., paraformaldehyde) and cryofixation methods
Optimize fixation time to preserve antigenicity while maintaining structure
Consider different embedding methods based on needed resolution
Antigen retrieval:
Test different antigen retrieval methods if signal is weak
Optimize permeabilization to allow antibody access to subcellular compartments
Consider unmasking treatments for fixed tissues
Staining protocol:
Use appropriate blocking agents to minimize non-specific binding
Test different antibody concentrations and incubation times/temperatures
Include negative controls (pre-immune serum, no primary antibody)
Confocal imaging optimization:
Use multiple fluorochromes for co-localization studies
Optimize laser power and gain settings to prevent photobleaching
Consider super-resolution techniques for detailed subcellular localization
When designing co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) experiments with At1g28390 antibody, include these essential controls:
Input control: Sample of the pre-IP lysate to confirm target protein presence and abundance.
Negative controls:
IgG control: Non-specific antibody of the same isotype
Knockout/knockdown sample: Tissue lacking or with reduced At1g28390 expression
Peptide competition: Antibody pre-incubated with immunizing peptide
Reciprocal IP: Use antibodies against suspected interaction partners to confirm interactions.
Experimental variations:
Test different lysis buffers that preserve protein-protein interactions
Optimize detergent type and concentration based on protein localization
Include protease/phosphatase inhibitors to preserve interaction states
Buffer optimization is particularly important, as noted in bispecific antibody research, where "the intricate interplay between the function and performance of [antibodies] is intricately tied to their structural configuration" .
Cross-reactivity can occur for several reasons:
Epitope similarity:
At1g28390 may share sequence homology with related Arabidopsis proteins
Use bioinformatic tools to identify potential cross-reactive proteins
Test antibody against recombinant related proteins to assess specificity
Antibody quality issues:
Polyclonal antibodies may contain antibodies recognizing non-target epitopes
Storage conditions or freeze-thaw cycles may affect specificity
Consider affinity purification against the immunizing antigen
Experimental conditions:
Insufficient blocking can increase non-specific binding
Excessive antibody concentration may amplify cross-reactivity
Sample preparation methods may expose normally hidden epitopes
The modular nature of antibodies means that antigen-binding domains can interact with multiple epitopes, potentially causing cross-reactivity . Proper validation and controls are essential to distinguish specific from non-specific signals.
When facing conflicting results:
Consider technique-specific factors:
Different techniques expose different epitopes
Denatured vs. native protein conformations affect antibody binding
Fixation methods can alter epitope accessibility
Antibody characteristics:
Some antibodies work well for Western blot but not immunohistochemistry, or vice versa
Check if the antibody was validated for your specific application
Consider using different antibody clones targeting different epitopes
Biological explanations:
Post-translational modifications may differ between conditions
Protein interactions might mask epitopes in certain contexts
Expression levels may vary, affecting detection thresholds
Resolution approach:
Use multiple antibodies and techniques to build consensus
Include appropriate positive and negative controls
Consider tagged protein expression as an alternative approach
For stress response studies:
Quantitative analysis:
Use image analysis software for immunofluorescence quantification
Apply densitometry for Western blot quantification
Normalize to appropriate loading controls
Statistical considerations:
Use appropriate statistical tests based on data distribution
Include sufficient biological and technical replicates
Consider time-course analysis to capture dynamic responses
Interpretation frameworks:
Compare results with transcriptome data for correlation
Consider post-translational modifications that may affect antibody binding
Integrate with physiological or phenotypic data
Complex autoantibody responses:
For successful ChIP experiments:
Protocol adaptation for plant tissues:
Optimize crosslinking conditions (formaldehyde concentration and time)
Test sonication parameters to achieve 200-500bp fragments
Include input, IgG, and positive control antibody (e.g., histone marks)
Technical considerations:
Test different chromatin preparation methods for best results
Determine optimal antibody amounts (typically 2-5μg per reaction)
Consider two-step IP for improved specificity
Data analysis approaches:
Use qPCR for candidate regions
Consider ChIP-seq for genome-wide binding profiles
Analyze data with appropriate controls and replicates
Validation strategies:
Test multiple genetic backgrounds or conditions
Confirm key findings with orthogonal methods
Correlate binding with gene expression changes
To study post-translational modifications:
Modification-specific antibodies:
Use commercial phospho-, acetyl-, or ubiquitin-specific antibodies
Consider generating modification-specific antibodies for At1g28390
Use general modification antibodies followed by At1g28390 detection
IP-based approaches:
Immunoprecipitate At1g28390 and analyze by mass spectrometry
Use modification-specific antibodies for Western blot after IP
Apply phosphatase/deacetylase treatments to confirm specificity
Advanced microscopy:
Use proximity ligation assays (PLA) to detect modifications in situ
Apply FRET techniques with appropriately labeled antibodies
Correlate localization patterns with modification states
Functional validation:
Mutate potential modification sites and test antibody reactivity
Correlate modifications with functional outcomes
Use inhibitors of modifying enzymes to manipulate modification states
Bispecific antibody technologies can be leveraged for At1g28390 research:
Design considerations:
Applications in plant research:
Co-localization studies with higher specificity
Pull-down of protein complexes with dual specificity
Detection of transient interactions in vivo
Technical approaches:
Validation and analysis:
Test multiple bsAb formats to identify optimal configuration
Assess developmental profiles for target expression and accessibility
Consider the potential impact of bsAb binding on protein function
Modern antibody databases can enhance your research:
Observed Antibody Space (OAS) database:
Application to At1g28390 research:
Search for similar antibody sequences with known properties
Analyze complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) for optimization
Compare existing antibodies to design improvements
Database integration:
Combine antibody information with Arabidopsis-specific databases
Use integrated approaches to predict epitope accessibility
Apply machine learning tools for antibody performance prediction
Practical implementation:
Deposit validated antibody sequences to enhance community resources
Use standardized reporting formats for antibody characterization
Leverage database information for rational antibody design
When investigating potential cross-reactivity:
Experimental design:
Test serum samples from various sources against recombinant At1g28390
Perform competitive binding assays with known antigens
Use epitope mapping to identify cross-reactive regions
Biological significance:
Controls and validation:
Include multiple negative controls from diverse sources
Use antibody subtraction/depletion methods to confirm specificity
Consider statistical approaches for distinguishing specific from non-specific binding
Data interpretation:
For developing improved antibodies:
Target selection:
Analyze protein structure (predicted or known) for accessible epitopes
Consider conserved vs. variable regions based on research needs
Select epitopes based on post-translational modification status
Engineering approaches:
Apply phage display for selecting higher-affinity variants
Consider computational design for optimizing binding interfaces
Use directed evolution approaches for specialized properties
Format optimization:
Developability screening:
Assess biophysical properties early in development
Screen for expression yields in different production systems
Test stability under various storage and experimental conditions
As noted in recent research, "considerable efforts are directed towards the engineering of [antibodies] with dual binding activity, while concurrently addressing the imperative need for developability profiles that align with, or even surpass, those of conventional monospecific antibodies" .