The term "ETL1 antibody" refers to reagents targeting two distinct proteins:
Etl-1 (Enhancer-trap-locus-1): A nuclear transcriptional regulator in mice with homology to chromatin remodelers like Brahma (BRM) and SNF2/SWI2 .
ETL (ADGRL4): An adhesion G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) involved in angiogenesis and cancer progression .
Developmental Regulation: Etl-1 exhibits biphasic expression during mouse embryogenesis, peaking at the two-cell stage and blastocyst phase. It localizes to nuclei of inner cell mass cells, suggesting a role in early transcriptional activation .
Functional Insights: Genetic studies indicate Etl-1 is dispensable for initial embryonic cleavage but critical for post-morula development .
Angiogenesis Modulation: ETL regulates vascular remodeling and is implicated in tumor angiogenesis. Its blockade inhibits endothelial cell migration and sprouting .
Cancer Relevance: Elevated ETL expression correlates with poor prognosis in glioblastoma and colorectal cancer, making it a therapeutic target .
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Clone | CL4164 |
| Host Species | Mouse |
| Immunogen | Recombinant Human ADGRL4 (aa 50–200) |
| Applications | IHC-P (1:500), WB (1:1,000–1:10,000) |
| Validated Samples | Human liver, placenta, cerebellum |
| Observed Band Size | ~78 kDa (WB) |
Etl-1 in Embryogenesis: Antibody-based tracking revealed transient nuclear accumulation in two-cell embryos, followed by trophectoderm-specific downregulation, highlighting its role in lineage specification .
ETL in Cancer Models: Anti-ETL antibodies reduced metastatic growth in xenograft models by impairing tumor cell extravasation and vascular co-option .
ETS1 (ETS proto-oncogene 1) is a transcription factor belonging to the ETS protein family. It plays crucial roles in immune response pathways and the regulation of cell proliferation. The human version of ETS1 has a canonical amino acid length of 441 residues and a protein mass of 50.4 kilodaltons, with 5 distinct isoforms identified to date . ETS1 is predominantly localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm of cells and is notably expressed in lymphoid tissues including the tonsil, spleen, lymph node, bone marrow, and appendix . Due to its involvement in various cellular processes and disease mechanisms, ETS1 has become an important research target, particularly in immunology, cancer biology, and developmental studies.
ETS1 functions as a key transcriptional regulator involved in multiple biological processes:
Immune system development and function, particularly in lymphocyte differentiation
Regulation of cellular proliferation and growth control mechanisms
Involvement in angiogenesis and vascular development
Participation in cellular migration and invasion processes, relevant to cancer metastasis
Modulation of apoptotic pathways in various cell types
These functions make ETS1 a critical factor in both normal physiological processes and pathological conditions, explaining why antibodies targeting this protein are valuable research tools.
ETS1 antibodies are versatile research tools employed across multiple experimental approaches:
| Application | Common Usage | Detection Sensitivity |
|---|---|---|
| Western Blot | Most common application for protein expression analysis | High for denatured protein |
| ELISA | Quantitative measurement of ETS1 levels | High sensitivity for native protein |
| Immunofluorescence | Cellular localization studies | Moderate to high depending on fixation |
| Immunohistochemistry | Tissue expression pattern analysis | Moderate, dependent on tissue preparation |
| ChIP assays | Analysis of DNA-binding activity | Variable based on antibody quality |
Western blotting represents the most commonly utilized application for the ETS1 antibodies currently available commercially .
When selecting an ETS1 antibody, consider these critical factors:
Specificity: Ensure the antibody specifically recognizes ETS1 without cross-reactivity to other ETS family proteins
Species reactivity: Confirm the antibody recognizes ETS1 from your species of interest (human, mouse, rat, etc.)
Application suitability: Verify the antibody has been validated for your specific application (WB, IHC, IF, etc.)
Epitope recognition: Determine which domain or region of ETS1 the antibody targets, particularly important when studying specific isoforms
Validation evidence: Review published literature and validation data showing the antibody's performance
For instance, the Human/Mouse/Rat Ets-1 Antibody (AF7284) has been validated for detecting ETS1 across multiple species including human Jurkat cells and mouse and rat thymus tissue via Western blot .
Proper validation of ETS1 antibodies should include:
Positive controls: Test the antibody on samples known to express ETS1 (e.g., Jurkat cells, thymus tissue)
Negative controls: Include samples with low or no ETS1 expression
Knockdown/knockout verification: Compare samples with normal versus reduced/eliminated ETS1 expression via siRNA, shRNA, or CRISPR
Peptide competition: Pre-incubate the antibody with purified ETS1 peptide to confirm specific binding
Multiple antibody comparison: Use different antibodies targeting distinct ETS1 epitopes to confirm consistent results
For Western blot applications, a properly validated ETS1 antibody should detect a protein at approximately 50.4 kDa, though this may vary depending on post-translational modifications and the specific isoform detected .
For optimal Western blot results with ETS1 antibodies:
Sample preparation: Use appropriate lysis buffers that preserve protein integrity while ensuring complete extraction from nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments
Protein loading: Load 20-50 μg of total protein per lane for cell lysates; adjust based on ETS1 expression levels
Gel selection: Use 10% Bis-Tris gels for optimal separation around the 50 kDa range
Transfer conditions: Standard PVDF membranes are suitable, with transfer times optimized for proteins of ETS1's molecular weight
Blocking conditions: 5% BSA in TBS-T is often effective for reducing background
Antibody dilution: Typically 0.5-1.0 μg/mL for primary antibody incubation is effective, though this should be optimized for each specific antibody
Detection system: Standard HRP-conjugated secondary antibodies with ECL detection systems work well
The Western blot protocol used with the Sheep Anti-Human/Mouse/Rat Ets-1 Antigen Affinity-purified Polyclonal Antibody successfully detected ETS1 in Jurkat human acute T cell leukemia cell line, human thymus tissue, mouse thymus tissue, and rat CD4+ T cells using 0.5 μg/mL antibody concentration .
For immunohistochemistry applications with ETS1 antibodies:
Tissue fixation: 10% neutral buffered formalin is standard, but consider testing additional fixatives if nuclear antigens are poorly preserved
Antigen retrieval: Heat-induced epitope retrieval using citrate buffer (pH 6.0) or EDTA buffer (pH 9.0) is typically effective for nuclear transcription factors
Blocking steps: Include both protein blocking and endogenous peroxidase blocking steps
Antibody incubation: Overnight incubation at 4°C often yields optimal results
Detection system: Amplification systems (e.g., polymer-based detection) can enhance sensitivity for nuclear antigens
Counterstaining: Hematoxylin counterstaining allows visualization of nuclear localization
Controls: Include tissues known to express ETS1 (e.g., lymphoid tissues) as positive controls
Determining optimal antibody dilutions is critical for experimental success:
| Application | Typical Starting Dilution Range | Optimization Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Western Blot | 0.1-1.0 μg/mL | Begin with manufacturer's recommendation, then adjust based on signal-to-noise ratio |
| Immunohistochemistry | 1-10 μg/mL | Start with higher concentration and titrate down |
| Immunofluorescence | 1-5 μg/mL | Test a range of dilutions on positive control samples |
| ELISA | 0.5-2 μg/mL | Perform checkerboard titration to optimize both coating and detection concentrations |
| ChIP | 2-10 μg per IP | Begin with higher amounts and optimize based on enrichment results |
For the Human/Mouse/Rat Ets-1 Antibody (AF7284), 0.5 μg/mL was effective for Western blot applications across multiple species samples, demonstrating good signal with minimal background .
The human ETS1 gene produces five known isoforms through alternative splicing, which affects experimental approaches in several ways:
Epitope accessibility: Some antibodies target regions that may be absent in certain isoforms
Molecular weight variations: Different isoforms will produce bands of varying molecular weights in Western blots
Functional differences: Isoforms may have distinct biological activities and cellular localizations
Expression patterns: Tissue-specific expression of isoforms requires careful selection of positive controls
When designing experiments:
Choose antibodies targeting conserved regions if you want to detect all isoforms
Select antibodies specific to unique regions if you aim to distinguish between isoforms
Consider using RT-PCR in parallel to confirm the presence of specific isoform transcripts
Be aware that the canonical amino acid length of 441 residues may not apply to all isoforms
To investigate ETS1's function as a transcription factor:
ChIP assays: Use ETS1 antibodies to immunoprecipitate chromatin-bound ETS1 and identify target genes
Critical controls include IgG negative controls and input normalization
Consider ChIP-seq for genome-wide binding profile analysis
Reporter assays: Construct luciferase reporters containing ETS1 binding sites
Include both wild-type and mutated binding site controls
Co-transfect with ETS1 expression vectors or siRNAs
DNA-binding assays: Use EMSA or DNA pull-down assays with purified ETS1 protein
Include competition with unlabeled probes to confirm specificity
Supershift assays with ETS1 antibodies can confirm protein identity
Co-immunoprecipitation: Identify transcriptional cofactors that interact with ETS1
Use antibodies targeting the native conformation of ETS1
Cross-linking may be necessary to capture transient interactions
Mass spectrometry: Identify post-translational modifications that regulate ETS1 activity
Immunoprecipitate ETS1 under different cellular conditions
Analyze modifications including phosphorylation, acetylation, and SUMOylation
Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) with ETS1 antibodies requires careful planning:
Antibody selection: Choose antibodies that recognize native (non-denatured) ETS1 protein
Lysis conditions: Use gentle, non-denaturing lysis buffers that preserve protein-protein interactions
Cross-linking considerations: For transient interactions, consider reversible cross-linking
Pre-clearing: Pre-clear lysates to reduce non-specific binding
Controls: Include IgG control IPs and input samples
Wash stringency: Balance between removing non-specific interactions and preserving specific ones
Detection method: Consider using mass spectrometry for unbiased identification of interacting partners
When investigating transcription factors like ETS1, nuclear extraction protocols may need optimization to ensure efficient recovery while maintaining protein-protein interactions.
When encountering non-specific binding with ETS1 antibodies:
Increase blocking stringency: Try different blocking agents (BSA, milk, commercial blockers) and concentrations
Optimize antibody concentration: Titrate the antibody to find the optimal concentration that maximizes specific signal while minimizing background
Adjust washing conditions: Increase wash duration, number of washes, or detergent concentration
Pre-absorb the antibody: Incubate with negative control lysates to remove antibodies that bind non-specifically
Change detection method: Consider more specific detection systems or amplification methods
Verify expression levels: Confirm that your experimental system expresses ETS1 at detectable levels
Review epitope location: Some antibodies may recognize partially homologous regions in related proteins
A systematic approach to troubleshooting will help identify the source of non-specific binding and improve experimental outcomes.
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) can significantly impact antibody recognition of ETS1:
Phosphorylation: ETS1 is heavily regulated by phosphorylation, which can alter protein conformation and epitope accessibility
Acetylation: Lysine acetylation can neutralize positive charges and alter antibody binding
SUMOylation: Addition of SUMO groups can create steric hindrance for antibody binding
Proteolytic processing: Partial degradation or specific cleavage can remove epitopes
Protein-protein interactions: Binding partners may mask antibody recognition sites
When studying PTMs of ETS1:
Use phospho-specific antibodies when investigating specific phosphorylation events
Consider using phosphatase treatment of samples as a control
Be aware that some antibodies may preferentially recognize modified or unmodified forms
Include appropriate positive controls with known modification states
Researchers working with ETS1 antibodies face several challenges:
Isoform specificity: Distinguishing between the five known isoforms of human ETS1 requires carefully selected antibodies
Cross-reactivity with other ETS family members: The ETS family shares conserved domains that can lead to antibody cross-reactivity
Post-translational modification heterogeneity: Various modifications can affect antibody binding and complicate data interpretation
Nuclear localization challenges: Efficient extraction and detection of nuclear transcription factors requires optimized protocols
Context-dependent interactions: ETS1's function and detectability may vary based on cell type and physiological state
Low expression levels: In some tissues or conditions, ETS1 may be expressed at levels near detection limits
Epitope masking: Protein-protein interactions or conformational changes may hide antibody binding sites
Researchers should be aware of these limitations when designing experiments and interpreting results.
Emerging single-cell techniques using ETS1 antibodies include:
Single-cell Western blotting: Miniaturized Western blot systems allow protein analysis at the single-cell level
Requires highly specific antibodies with minimal background
Useful for heterogeneous populations where bulk analysis obscures subpopulation differences
Mass cytometry (CyTOF): Metal-conjugated antibodies enable multiplexed protein detection
Requires antibodies that maintain specificity after metal conjugation
Allows simultaneous detection of ETS1 with dozens of other markers
Imaging mass cytometry: Combines mass cytometry with tissue imaging
Provides spatial information about ETS1 expression in tissue context
Requires antibodies validated for tissue section applications
Proximity ligation assays: Detect protein-protein interactions in situ
Useful for studying ETS1 interactions with cofactors
Requires pairs of antibodies targeting ETS1 and its potential interaction partners
These techniques offer new insights into ETS1 biology at unprecedented resolution but require rigorous antibody validation.
For successful ChIP-seq experiments with ETS1 antibodies:
Antibody validation: Verify the antibody can efficiently immunoprecipitate chromatin-bound ETS1
Test enrichment at known ETS1 binding sites by qPCR before sequencing
Confirm low background in negative control regions
Optimization of chromatin fragmentation: Aim for 200-500 bp fragments
Standardize sonication conditions for consistent fragmentation
Verify fragment size distribution before proceeding
Input normalization: Always sequence an input control from the same chromatin preparation
Use for normalization during data analysis
Helps identify and exclude regions with inherently high background
Controls and replicates: Include IgG control IPs and biological replicates
Compare peak patterns between replicates to assess reproducibility
Use appropriate statistical methods to identify consistent binding sites
Motif analysis: Verify enrichment of known ETS1 binding motifs in peak regions
Serves as a quality control metric for specificity
Can identify co-occurring motifs that suggest cooperativity with other factors
Integration with other data types: Correlate binding sites with gene expression data
Helps distinguish functional from non-functional binding events
Can reveal regulatory networks involving ETS1
Careful planning and rigorous controls are essential for generating reliable ChIP-seq data with ETS1 antibodies.
To ensure reliable and reproducible results when working with ETS1 antibodies:
Thorough validation: Validate antibodies using multiple approaches including positive and negative controls, knockdown experiments, and comparison with multiple antibodies
Detailed reporting: Document all antibody information (supplier, catalog number, lot, dilution, incubation conditions) in publications
Application-specific optimization: Optimize protocols for each specific application rather than using generic protocols
Appropriate controls: Include all necessary controls for each experiment type
Replication: Perform biological replicates to ensure reproducibility
Cross-validation: When possible, verify key findings using orthogonal methods
Data sharing: Consider sharing detailed protocols and raw data to benefit the research community
Following these best practices will enhance the quality and impact of ETS1 research and contribute to more robust scientific literature.
To remain current with advances in ETS1 research tools:
Literature monitoring: Set up alerts for new publications on ETS1 and related methodologies
Research databases: Regularly check antibody validation databases and repositories
Manufacturer resources: Subscribe to updates from antibody manufacturers
Scientific conferences: Attend conferences focusing on transcription factors and methodological advances
Research communities: Participate in relevant online forums and research networks
Collaborative networks: Engage with other researchers studying ETS1 to share experiences
Method-specific training: Pursue training in emerging techniques relevant to transcription factor research
Continuous education and networking will help researchers adapt to evolving methodologies and apply them effectively to ETS1 studies.