CELSR1 is a receptor that plays a crucial role in cell/cell signaling during nervous system formation . It belongs to the adhesion G protein-coupled receptor (aGPCR) family and is also known by several other names including CDHF9, FMI2, Cadherin family member 9, and Flamingo homolog 2 (hFmi2) . With a calculated molecular weight of 329 kDa, CELSR1 is a large protein with multiple functional domains . Recent research has shown that CELSR1 has neuroprotective effects in cerebral ischemic injury by reducing cell apoptosis in the peri-infarct cerebral cortex and promoting neurogenesis and angiogenesis, primarily through the Wnt/PKC pathway . This makes it an important target for stroke research, as it has been identified as a susceptibility gene for ischemic stroke .
Based on current research literature, CELSR1 antibodies have been validated for several experimental applications:
Western Blot (WB): CELSR1 antibodies such as ab225889 have been validated for detecting the target protein at approximately 329 kDa in human cell lines including HeLa, HEK-293T, and Jurkat .
Immunoprecipitation (IP): Antibodies like ab225889 have been confirmed effective for pulling down CELSR1 from human cell lysates .
ELISA: Antibodies such as 20270-1-AP have demonstrated reactivity with human samples in ELISA applications .
When using HRP-conjugated variants, these applications benefit from direct enzymatic detection without requiring secondary antibodies.
When performing Western blot for CELSR1 detection, researchers should consider:
Sample preparation: NETN buffer has been validated for lysate preparation . Due to the large size of CELSR1 (329 kDa), complete protein extraction and denaturation are critical.
Gel selection: Use low percentage gels (4-6%) or gradient gels to effectively resolve high molecular weight proteins.
Transfer conditions: For large proteins, extend transfer times or use specialized protocols for high molecular weight proteins (wet transfer with low methanol buffers).
Antibody concentration: An optimal concentration of 0.1 μg/mL has been reported for ab225889 .
Detection: When using HRP-conjugated antibodies, ECL (enhanced chemiluminescence) technique provides appropriate sensitivity, with reported exposure times of approximately 3 minutes .
For optimal maintenance of antibody activity:
Antibodies formulated in PBS with 0.02% sodium azide and 50% glycerol at pH 7.3 have demonstrated good stability .
Antibodies are typically stable for one year after shipment when stored properly .
For smaller aliquots (e.g., 20μL sizes), BSA may be included (0.1%) as a stabilizer .
Aliquoting is generally unnecessary for -20°C storage based on manufacturer recommendations .
For optimizing CELSR1 detection in neurogenesis and angiogenesis studies following cerebral ischemic injury:
Regional considerations: The mRNA expression of CELSR1 shows differential regulation after ischemia/reperfusion in different brain regions: increased in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and dentate gyrus (DG), decreased in the ischemic penumbra, and relatively unchanged in the ischemic core and striatum . Target tissue collection should consider these regional variations.
Co-staining protocols: Implement dual or triple immunostaining protocols using:
CELSR1 antibody (HRP-conjugated or primary with compatible secondary)
Neurogenesis markers (e.g., DCX for neuroblasts)
CD31 for vascular endothelial cell detection
Quantification methods: Quantify CD31-positive vascular area ratio for angiogenesis assessment as demonstrated in previous studies (where control groups showed approximately 24.61% ± 3.68% CD31-positive area ratio around the SVZ) .
Timing considerations: CELSR1 expression changes dynamically after ischemic injury. Research indicates significant changes after 2 hours of ischemia followed by 22 hours of reperfusion .
To investigate CELSR1's G protein coupling mechanism:
BRET2 assay implementation: Bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET2) sensors can be used to assay the "transducerome" of G protein combinations, as demonstrated for other adhesion GPCRs like LPHN3 .
Thrombin-mediated acute exposure approach: This methodology can be adapted to evaluate acute tethered-agonist (TA) dependent G protein coupling of CELSR1 .
G protein knockout cell models: Conduct experiments in G protein knockout (GKO) HEK293 cells to minimize interference between endogenous G proteins and overexpressed receptors of interest .
Controls: Include empty vector (EV) controls to identify non-specific effects of treatments such as thrombin .
Validation: Compare CELSR1 with established aGPCRs like LPHN3 that have known G protein coupling profiles to validate experimental design .
Based on recent research findings, detection of both cleaved and uncleaved forms of CELSR1 requires specific experimental approaches:
Dual tagging strategy: Use N- and C-terminal tags (e.g., HA and FLAG respectively) to monitor the putative N- or C-terminal fragments resulting from potential autoproteolytic cleavage .
Immunoblotting protocol:
For CELSR1, be aware that predominant products correspond to uncleaved, full-length receptors (unlike CELSR2 which shows effective cleavage) .
Include positive controls such as human LPHN3, which is established to be effectively cleaved .
Run appropriate molecular weight markers to distinguish between full-length (~329 kDa) and cleaved fragments.
Expression systems: Use HEK293T cells for heterologous expression as they have been validated for studying CELSR proteins .
Detection optimization: Optimize SDS-PAGE conditions (gradient gels, running time, transfer parameters) to resolve both high molecular weight full-length proteins and smaller cleaved fragments.
For immunohistochemical detection of CELSR1 in brain tissue:
Tissue preparation:
Perfusion-fixed tissue provides better antigen preservation
Appropriate post-fixation (typically 24-48 hours in 4% PFA)
Cryoprotection in sucrose gradients for frozen sections
Antigen retrieval:
Heat-induced epitope retrieval (HIER) using citrate buffer (pH 6.0)
Alternatively, try Tris-EDTA buffer (pH 9.0) if citrate buffer gives suboptimal results
Detection strategy for HRP-conjugated antibodies:
Direct detection using DAB (3,3'-diaminobenzidine) substrate
Signal amplification using tyramide signal amplification (TSA) for low-abundance targets
Region-specific optimization:
Controls:
To investigate CELSR1's role in neuroprotection:
Knockdown approach:
Ischemia model implementation:
Quantitative assessment methods:
Infarct volume measurement
Neurological deficit scoring
Mortality rate calculation (knockdown of CELSR1 has been shown to increase mortality three-fold)
Cell apoptosis quantification in the peri-infarct cerebral cortex
Neurogenesis assessment (neuroblast proliferation)
Angiogenesis measurement (CD31-positive vascular area ratio)
Molecular pathway investigation:
Common challenges in CELSR1 detection and their solutions include:
To validate CELSR1 antibody specificity:
Positive and negative controls:
Immunoblotting confirmation:
Immunoprecipitation validation:
Perform IP followed by Western blot using antibodies targeting different epitopes
Peptide competition assay:
Cross-reactivity assessment:
Emerging applications for CELSR1 antibodies that researchers should consider include:
Stroke therapy development:
G protein signaling research:
Advanced imaging applications:
Super-resolution microscopy to visualize CELSR1 distribution in neural progenitor cells
Live-cell imaging to track CELSR1 dynamics during neurogenesis
Single-cell analysis:
Use of CELSR1 antibodies in single-cell proteomics
Correlation of CELSR1 expression with cell fate decisions in neural stem cells
Extracellular vesicle research:
Detection of CELSR1 in extracellular vesicles as potential biomarkers
Analysis of CELSR1's role in intercellular communication via exosomes
These applications will benefit from continued refinement of HRP-conjugated CELSR1 antibodies and development of new detection strategies for this important neurological target.