The CEBPG antibody (e.g., ab74045 from Abcam) is a rabbit polyclonal antibody targeting the C/EBPγ protein. It is validated for Western blot (WB) and immunohistochemistry (IHC-P) in human and mouse samples . Its immunogen is a synthetic peptide corresponding to residues 1–149 of human C/EBPγ .
Cancer Studies:
Ferroptosis Regulation:
Developmental Biology:
Western Blot: Detects a 21 kDa band in RAW264.7 cell extracts .
IHC-P: Shows specific staining in human heart tissue, blocked by immunizing peptide .
Cross-Reactivity: Predicted to work in untested species (e.g., rat) due to sequence homology .
CEBPG (CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein gamma) is a transcription factor that binds to promoter and enhancer regions of target genes. It often forms dimers with other C/EBP family members, enhancing its DNA binding capacity and functional diversity . CEBPG plays significant roles in immune function, cellular stress responses, and myeloid differentiation. Its involvement in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) progression through mechanisms like regulating EIF4EBP1 makes it a valuable research target . CEBPG has also been implicated in cell cycle progression, making it relevant for studies in cancer biology and cellular differentiation .
Selection should be based on:
Target species compatibility: Ensure the antibody reacts with your species of interest (typically human and mouse are common) .
Intended application: Different antibodies are validated for specific applications, such as Western blot (WB), immunohistochemistry (IHC-P), immunofluorescence (IF/ICC), or ELISA .
Clonality consideration: Polyclonal antibodies offer broader epitope recognition while monoclonal antibodies provide higher specificity for a single epitope.
Validation data: Review existing validation data, including positive control samples (A-549, HT-29, mouse liver, testis, and lung are commonly used for CEBPG) .
When studying specific interactions, consider an antibody targeting the relevant domain within the CEBPG protein sequence (e.g., the DNA-binding domain for transcription studies).
For successful Western blot detection of CEBPG:
Antibody dilution: Use 1:500-1:2000 dilution range for most CEBPG antibodies .
Expected band size: The predicted band size for CEBPG is 16.4 kDa, but observed bands may appear at approximately 21 kDa due to post-translational modifications .
Loading control: GAPDH is commonly used as a reference protein for normalization .
Sample preparation: For cell lines like RAW264.7, use 5 µg of total protein extract per lane .
Blocking: Use standard blocking with 5% non-fat milk or BSA in TBST.
When troubleshooting, include positive control samples (A-549, HT-29 cell lines) and consider using the immunizing peptide as a competitive control to confirm specificity .
For optimal IHC-P detection:
Antibody dilution: Use 1:50-1:200 dilution for most CEBPG antibodies .
Antigen retrieval: Heat-induced epitope retrieval in citrate buffer (pH 6.0) is typically effective.
Detection system: Both DAB and fluorescent secondary antibodies work well for CEBPG detection.
Controls: Include both positive tissue controls (heart tissue has been validated ) and negative controls (primary antibody omission).
Signal amplification: For low expression tissues, consider using tyramide signal amplification.
To validate specificity, perform peptide competition assays where the primary antibody is pre-incubated with the immunizing peptide before application to tissue sections .
For effective ChIP experiments targeting CEBPG:
Crosslinking optimization: Use 1% formaldehyde for 10 minutes at room temperature for standard crosslinking, but consider dual crosslinking with DSG followed by formaldehyde for better results with transcription factors.
Antibody selection: Choose antibodies specifically validated for ChIP applications.
Positive control regions: Include known CEBPG binding regions such as the enhancer element PRE-I of the IL-4 gene or the G-CSF gene promoter .
Input normalization: Accurately measure and normalize to input DNA to ensure reliable quantification.
Controls: Use normal rabbit IgG as a negative control antibody .
For ChIP-seq applications, enrich CEBPG-bound DNA fragments and compare with control datasets to identify genome-wide binding profiles. Analysis of H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 marks in conjunction with CEBPG binding can provide insights into active versus repressed chromatin states .
To study CEBPG in myeloid differentiation:
Cell models: Use appropriate myeloid cell lines (MV4-11, NB4, K562) or primary hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells .
Differentiation induction: Establish protocols using ATRA (all-trans retinoic acid) or G-CSF to induce differentiation.
Time-course analysis: Perform Western blotting at multiple time points during differentiation to track CEBPG expression dynamics.
Co-immunoprecipitation: Use CEBPG antibodies to pull down protein complexes and identify binding partners during differentiation, particularly other C/EBP family members.
Knockdown studies: Compare differentiation markers before and after CEBPG knockdown using flow cytometry.
Analysis should include markers of myeloid differentiation (CD11b, CD15) alongside CEBPG expression to correlate protein levels with differentiation stages .
When facing conflicting results:
Context specificity: CEBPG functions differently depending on the cellular context. In C/EBPα-silenced AML, CEBPG overexpression blocks neutrophilic differentiation, whereas in other contexts it may promote differentiation .
Dimerization analysis: Examine which C/EBP family members CEBPG is dimerizing with in your specific model, as this affects its function. Use co-immunoprecipitation followed by Western blotting.
Epigenetic considerations: Analyze the H3K4me3 enrichment status at the CEBPG promoter, as this active histone mark contributes to elevated CEBPG expression in certain AML contexts .
Methylation analysis: Examine DNA methylation profiles of the CEBPG promoter, although evidence suggests methylation may not be the primary regulatory mechanism in AML .
Target gene expression: Assess downstream targets like EIF4EBP1, which can help reconcile seemingly contradictory functions .
Create a comprehensive table mapping CEBPG expression, dimerization partners, and functional outcomes across your experimental conditions to identify pattern-based explanations for discrepancies.
Common pitfalls and solutions include:
Non-specific binding: Validate antibody specificity using knockout/knockdown controls or peptide competition assays .
Inconsistent band sizes: CEBPG's predicted size is 16.4 kDa, but it often appears at 21 kDa on Western blots due to post-translational modifications . Confirm identity using multiple antibodies targeting different epitopes.
Dimerization interference: CEBPG's tendency to form dimers with other C/EBP family members may mask epitopes. Use denaturing conditions for Western blots and optimize fixation for IHC/ICC.
Low signal strength: CEBPG expression can be cell-cycle dependent; synchronize cells when possible and use enhanced detection methods for low-abundance samples .
Fixation artifacts: Different fixation methods can affect CEBPG epitope accessibility. Compare multiple fixation protocols (PFA, methanol, acetone) to determine optimal conditions.
Always include positive controls (A-549, HT-29, mouse liver) and negative controls (primary antibody omission or isotype control) in your experimental design .
Measuring ASE of CEBPG requires specialized approaches:
ChIP followed by allele-specific PCR: Use CEBPG antibodies for chromatin immunoprecipitation, then perform allele-specific PCR at polymorphic sites (e.g., rs2772) to determine if one allele is preferentially bound by transcription machinery .
RNA polymerase II ChIP: Combine RNAPII antibody ChIP with allele-specific PCR to determine if transcription activity differs between alleles .
Experimental setup: Establish a cell-culture system where trans-factors regulating CEBPG can be induced experimentally, then measure ASE using competitive PCR techniques .
Controls and standardization: Include standardized mixtures of allele-specific internal standards (10^-13 molar concentration) .
Data analysis: Quantify products using technologies like the Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer for precise measurement of allelic ratios .
This approach helps determine whether cis-acting genetic variants influence CEBPG transcript expression and whether the mechanism involves transcription rate or post-transcriptional processes.
To investigate the CEBPG-EIF4EBP1 regulatory axis:
Sequential ChIP (Re-ChIP): Perform ChIP with CEBPG antibody followed by re-immunoprecipitation with antibodies against chromatin modifiers to identify co-regulatory mechanisms.
Promoter analysis: Use CEBPG antibodies in ChIP experiments to confirm direct binding to the EIF4EBP1 promoter region, focusing on TSS-proximal regions where H3K27ac signals are present .
Functional validation: Combine CEBPG knockdown with rescue experiments involving EIF4EBP1 overexpression to establish causality in the regulatory relationship.
Pathway analysis: Use antibodies against both CEBPG and EIF4EBP1 to track protein changes in EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance signaling upon CEBPG manipulation .
Clinical correlation: Analyze patient samples for CEBPG and EIF4EBP1 co-expression patterns using validated antibodies in IHC or multiplex immunofluorescence.
This comprehensive approach provides mechanistic insight into how CEBPG promotes AML proliferation through EIF4EBP1 activation, potentially identifying new therapeutic targets .
For single-cell applications with CEBPG antibodies:
Single-cell Western blotting: Adapt traditional Western blot protocols for microfluidic platforms that enable protein analysis at the single-cell level.
Mass cytometry (CyTOF): Conjugate CEBPG antibodies with rare earth metals for high-dimensional analysis of CEBPG alongside other markers in heterogeneous cell populations.
Imaging mass cytometry: Combine tissue imaging with mass cytometry using metal-labeled CEBPG antibodies to visualize spatial distribution within tissue architecture.
CITE-seq approach: Use oligonucleotide-tagged CEBPG antibodies in cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes by sequencing to correlate protein expression with transcriptomic profiles.
In situ PLA (Proximity Ligation Assay): Detect CEBPG interactions with other proteins at the single-cell level, revealing heterogeneity in protein complex formation.
These approaches allow researchers to study CEBPG biology in rare cell populations and capture heterogeneity masked in bulk analyses, particularly relevant for understanding CEBPG's role in heterogeneous diseases like AML.
The C/EBPα-C/EBPγ balance is crucial in AML pathophysiology:
Monitoring therapy response: Use validated CEBPG and CEBPA antibodies in Western blots to track protein level changes in patient samples during treatment with demethylating agents .
Biomarker development: Establish immunohistochemistry protocols to assess CEBPG expression in bone marrow biopsies as a potential biomarker for treatment selection and response prediction.
Mechanism elucidation: Employ co-immunoprecipitation with CEBPG antibodies to track changes in dimerization partners before and after therapy.
Combination therapy assessment: Use antibody-based assays to determine how CEBPG inhibition might synergize with other therapeutic approaches.
Patient stratification: Develop quantitative immunoassays to measure the CEBPA/CEBPG ratio in patient samples for potential stratification and personalized therapy approaches.
Recent studies show that downregulation of CEBPG in CEBPA-silenced AML samples or treatment with demethylating agents can restore granulocytic differentiation by rebalancing the C/EBPα-C/EBPγ axis , suggesting a promising therapeutic approach that requires careful monitoring with antibody-based techniques.